PromicsEdge Medication Check (PGx) FAQ
The Medication Check (PGx) Report shows how a client's genetics influence their response to medications. By analyzing specific genetic variants, it identifies how your client metabolizes 50+ commonly prescribed drugs — helping you make more informed prescribing decisions, reduce trial-and-error, and minimize the risk of adverse reactions.
Requirements
The Medication Check (PGx) Report requires a SelfDecode DNA kit. Third-party DNA files are not compatible, due to the specific genetic data needed. If your client currently has an uploaded third-party file, they'll need a SelfDecode DNA kit to access results.
What the Report Provides
For each medication covered, the report assigns one of two categories:
Standard Precautions — The medication is likely to work as expected at standard dosages, with a low risk of adverse effects based on your client's genetics.
Use With Caution — Your client's genetics suggest one or more of the following:
- Higher chance of side effects or toxicity
- Standard dosage may not be appropriate (adjustment may be needed)
- An alternative medication may be a better option
What Medications Are Covered?
The report covers 50+ medications across these categories:
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, TCAs, SNRIs)
- Antipsychotics
- Antiepileptics
- Antifungals
- Antiplatelets & Anticoagulants
- Antivirals
- Immunosuppressants
- NSAIDs
- Opioids
- Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
- Statins
- Anesthetics
For the complete, up-to-date list, see the full report list page under the "Medication Check (PGx Testing)" section. This list changes as new medications and guidelines are added.
How It Works
The report analyzes specific genetic variants and variant combinations (haplotypes) your client carries. Since we inherit one variant from each parent, it maps these combinations to a metabolizer type for each relevant drug — predicting how your client's body will process the medication.
Metabolizer Types
Normal Metabolizer — Processes the drug as expected at standard doses.
Intermediate or Poor Metabolizer — Processes the drug slower than normal. May require a lower dose, a higher dose, or an alternative medication depending on the drug.
Rapid or Ultra-Rapid Metabolizer — Processes the drug faster than normal. May reduce effectiveness in some cases or increase potency in others.
Indeterminate Metabolizer — The DNA data lacks sufficient variant coverage to assign a metabolizer type.
Clinical Guidelines
All recommendations in the report are based on guidelines developed by recognized pharmacogenomics organizations:
- CPIC — Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium
- FDA — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- DPWG — Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group
- PharmGKB — Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base
How to Interpret the Report
The report lists the genes and variants associated with how your client metabolizes each covered drug. Where available, it includes prescribing guidance — such as recommended dosage adjustments or alternative treatments — based on your client's metabolizer type.
For a detailed interpretation guide, open the "Understanding PGx Report" dropdown on the Pharmacogenomics page in the app (once results are generated), or refer to the "How This Works" section in the PDF version.
Important Limitations
The Medication Check (PGx) Report is a valuable clinical tool, but it has limitations to be aware of:
- It does not replace medical advice. The report supports — it does not replace — the professional judgment of a qualified healthcare provider. Always advise clients to consult their prescribing physician before making medication changes.
- Genetics is one factor. Age, weight, existing medical conditions, lifestyle, and other medications also affect drug metabolism and are not fully accounted for in this report.
- Not all variants are covered. The report focuses on the most commonly studied and clinically relevant gene-drug interactions. It does not detect all possible genetic variants, and gene deletions and duplications are not analyzed.
- False results are possible. Though unlikely, the report may produce false positive or false negative results. Confirm any clinically significant finding with an independent, specialized genetic test prescribed by a healthcare professional before making medical decisions.
- Allele-specific limitations. Metabolizer type reporting is limited to specific alleles for the following genes: CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, NUDT15, SLCO1B1, and TPMT. Default star-alleles (e.g., *1) indicate the absence of other tested alleles only — they do not confirm that other variants in the gene are absent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Medication Check (PGx) Report included with the standard client profile? No. It's part of the Medical Bundle. See our Professional Checkout & Pricing page for which bundles include it and for current pricing.
Can I use a third-party DNA file? No. The report requires a SelfDecode DNA kit for the level of genetic data accuracy needed.
Does the report cover every medication? No. It focuses on 50+ of the most commonly studied and clinically relevant medications, not every possible drug or gene-drug interaction.
Can my client change their medication based on this report alone? No. The report is informational and should always be reviewed with a qualified healthcare provider before any medication changes are made.
🙋 Need Help?
If you have questions about the Medication Check (PGx) Report or any other feature, reach out at support@promicsedge.com or use the chat bubble in your account.