Do you know no living thing rejects what it craves for if supplied in an optimized quantity? A personalized approach to the use of anesthetics based on a patient’s genetic composition can help anesthesiologists lower the risk of an adverse drug reaction (ADR) and re-admissions into hospitals. This philosophy is the framework of modern personalized medicine. This test uses genetic data when developing and testing drugs. This technology also helps physicians, including anesthesiologists, select the right medication at the correct dose and appropriate regimen. Likewise, pharmacogenomics help identify patients who are likely to have adverse drug reactions or excessive side effects to drugs at relatively low doses. Pharmacogenetic testing is also useful in lower the risk of an adverse drug reaction (ADR)

BENEFITS OF PGx TESTING

Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing helps anesthesiologists stratify patients into risk categories and then customize treatment as required. This approach is useful when determining the right quantity and type of opioid therapy or the appropriate postoperative therapy for nausea and vomiting while avoiding the perioperative risk of thrombosis. A preoperative behavioral and medical risk assessment conducted by a nurse, followed by PGx testing in patients identified as being at risk of having opioid dependence or opioid-related complications, can guide anesthesiologists on the need to alter treatment. Other physicians can also use the same genetic information in selecting the right medications for the same patient. Hence, PGx testing can help physicians and other healthcare workers to predictively tackle adverse drug reaction, which is the 4th leading cause of deaths in the United States.

AVAILABLE DATA AND NEXT STEPS

Pain medicines, notably opioids, were associated with over 42,600 deaths in 2016. Hence, anesthesiologists who are pain management experts can use PGx testing to help tackle the public health crisis of opioid addiction and adverse drug reaction. Do you have a family member who experiences adverse drug reaction due to some trial and error prescribing practice? Click to receive a FREE guide on some steps that will help you and your family members.