Medication Check (PGx) Report FAQ
What is the Medication Check (PGx) Report?
The Medication Check (PGx) Report analyzes your genetic variants to show how your body may respond to over 50 medications — including common pain relievers, antidepressants, anticoagulants, and statins. Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of how your genes affect drug metabolism, and this report translates that science into clear, actionable guidance you can share with your healthcare provider.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the report shows whether you may need a lower dose, an alternative medication, or closer monitoring — before you experience an adverse reaction.
- We also have a DNAmind PGx Report focused specifically on psychiatric medications. See our comparison article for a full breakdown of the differences.
Important: This report requires a SelfDecode DNA kit. Third-party DNA files are not compatible due to the specific genetic data required. If you've uploaded a third-party file and want this report, you'll need to purchase a SelfDecode DNA kit.
Which medications are covered?
The report covers 50+ medications across seven categories:
Anesthesiology
- Anesthetics: Volatile Anesthetics (Desflurane, Enflurane, Halothane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane, Sevoflurane)
- Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Succinylcholine
Cardiovascular
- Antiplatelets & Anticoagulants: Acenocoumarol, Clopidogrel, Phenprocoumon, Warfarin
- Statins: Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pitavastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin
Gastrointestinal
- Proton Pump Inhibitors: Dexlansoprazole, Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole
Immunology, Rheumatology & Oncology
- Antihyperuricemic & Antigout Agents: Allopurinol
- Antimetabolites: Capecitabine, Fluorouracil, Mercaptopurine, Tegafur
- Immunosuppressants: Azathioprine, Methotrexate, Siponimod, Tacrolimus
Infections
- Antifungals: Voriconazole
- Antivirals: Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Triple therapy (peginterferon alfa-2a/b & ribavirin)
Pain
- NSAIDs: Celecoxib, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Lornoxicam, Meloxicam, Piroxicam, Tenoxicam
- Opioids: Methadone
Psychotropic
- Antidepressants: Amitriptyline, Bupropion, Citalopram, Clomipramine, Doxepin, Escitalopram, Imipramine, Sertraline, Trimipramine
- Antiepileptics: Phenytoin
- Antipsychotics: Quetiapine
How do I find my Medication Check (PGx) Report?
- Go to your Report Overview Page.
- Search "Medication Check" or "PGx" to find the report.
- Access your results directly in-app, or download the PDF for your records.
How does the report work?
The report examines specific genetic variants and variant combinations (haplotypes) inherited from each parent. These predict your metabolizer type for each medication:
- Normal Metabolizer — processes drugs as expected at standard doses
- Intermediate or Poor Metabolizer — processes drugs more slowly; may need dose adjustments or alternatives
- Rapid or Ultra-Rapid Metabolizer — processes drugs faster; may affect effectiveness or increase risk
- Indeterminate — insufficient variant data to assign a metabolizer type
Each drug is then categorized as either Standard Precautions (likely to work well at standard doses) or Use with Caution (may cause adverse effects or require adjustment based on your genetics).
Guidelines are based on evidence from CPIC, FDA, DPWG, and PharmGKB.
What does the report show for each medication?
For each drug covered, you'll see:
- The associated genes and variants affecting your response
- Your metabolizer type for that drug
- Dosage adjustment or alternative medication guidance where relevant
- A "Use with Caution" flag where your genetics suggest elevated risk
Access your full results at your PGx results page, or download the PDF for complete detail. The "Understanding PGx Report" dropdown in your results walks you through how to read everything.
What are the report's limitations?
- Covers genetic factors only — age, weight, medical conditions, other medications, and lifestyle also influence drug metabolism
- Focuses on the most studied and clinically relevant gene-drug interactions; does not cover every possible medication or genetic response
- Does not detect all variants, or gene deletions and duplications outside the listed alleles
- While unlikely, false positive or false negative results are possible — confirm clinically significant findings with an independent specialized genetic test before making medical decisions
Does this report replace my doctor's advice?
No. The Medication Check (PGx) Report is a tool to support informed conversations with your healthcare provider — it does not replace medical advice or diagnose conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust medications based on this report alone. Self-adjusting medications without medical guidance can be dangerous.
Looking for help with your results?
SelfDecode has two AI options to help you explore your health data:
- DecodyGPT — our built-in AI health coach, available directly in your account
- Connect via MCP integration — link your SelfDecode data to ChatGPT or Claude for AI-powered insights using your own account
Want more from your SelfDecode plan?
The Ultimate Bundle includes all of our current premium reports in one package:
- Ancestry Report
- Condition Reports
- Longevity Screener
- Medication Check (PGx) Report
- Carrier Status
- Pathway Reports (Methylation, Detox, Histamine, Dopamine & Norepinephrine, Serotonin & Melatonin)
Upgrade from your dashboard or email support@selfdecode.com with questions.