Genetics 101: What Your DNA Can Tell Your Doctor About Medication
Your DNA is like a set of instructions for how your body works, everything from your eye color to how you process caffeine. But did you know your genes also affect how medications work inside you?
Introduction
Your DNA is like a set of instructions for how your body works, everything from your eye color to how you process caffeine. But did you know your genes also affect how medications work inside you?
That’s what pharmacogenomics is all about: understanding the link between your genes and your medications.
Genes and drug metabolism
Your body uses enzymes to break down drugs. These enzymes are made from instructions in your genes.Depending on the version (or variant) of a gene you inherit, your enzymes may:
- Work faster than average
- Work slower than average
- Not work at all
This influences how much of a drug stays active in your system — and for how long.
For example, someone who metabolizes a pain medication too quickly might not get any relief, while another who metabolizes it too slowly might feel too sedated.
Why it matters for your health
Doctors often prescribe medications based on what works for “most people.” But genetics explains why “most people” doesn’t always include you.Pharmacogenomic testing helps your doctor personalize treatment so that you get:
- The right drug for your genetic type
- The right dose for your metabolism
- Fewer side effects and better results
It’s not about changing your genes but about understanding them.
What your DNA can reveal
A single PGx test can provide insights for dozens of commonly used drugs, including:
- Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications
- Painkillers and opioids
- Heart medications like statins or blood thinners
- Cancer and autoimmune treatments
Once your results are in, your doctor can use them for life, your DNA doesn’t change, so your results stay relevant for future prescriptions.
Your genes. Your medicine. Your choice.
Pharmacogenomics is helping turn medicine into a partnership between you and your doctor — based on knowledge, not trial and error. By learning what your DNA says about your health, you’re taking the guesswork out of treatment and putting precision into care.