GeneSight® genetic testing for mental health.
Non-invasive cheek-swab pharmacogenomic testing that looks at genes involved in how your body processes certain psychiatric medications, to help inform treatment planning.
How pharmacogenomics can inform psychiatric prescribing.
Finding the right psychiatric medication can be a challenging journey. Patients often face weeks of waiting, navigating troublesome side effects, dosage adjustments, or insufficient symptom relief.
Premier Psychiatry uses GeneSight® pharmacogenomic testing as adjunctive clinical decision support. By analyzing genes involved in drug metabolism (such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP1A2), the test gives your clinician information that can help when weighing medication tolerability and dosing. It is one input alongside your history, diagnosis, and preferences.
What GeneSight® Analyzes
- CYP450 Liver Enzymes: Reports your predicted metabolizer status (poor, intermediate, normal, or ultra-rapid) for specific enzymes.
- Neuroreceptor & Transporter Genes: Analyzes genetic markers (including SLC6A4 and HTR2A) studied in medication response; current CPIC guidance does not support using these two markers to guide antidepressant prescribing.
- Many Psychiatric Medications: Reports on many commonly prescribed medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions.
Color-Coded Report Categories
Your GeneSight® report sorts medications into three categories based on the genes tested:
Use as Directed
No significant gene-drug interaction is predicted for these medications based on the genes tested. This does not mean a medication will work or be free of side effects.
Moderate Gene-Drug Interaction
A moderate gene-drug interaction is predicted. Your prescriber may consider dose adjustments or closer monitoring; for example, some intermediate metabolizers may need a slower dose increase or a lower maintenance dose.
Significant Gene-Drug Interactions
A significant gene-drug interaction is predicted. For example, a medication may be cleared unusually quickly (lowering blood levels) or slowly (raising the risk of side effects). Your prescriber weighs this with your full history; it does not by itself rule a medication in or out.
Three Simple Steps to Testing
No needles or blood draws are required: just a quick, comfortable cheek swab.
Quick Cheek Swab
If you and your clinician decide testing is right for you, a sample is collected with a non-invasive cheek swab. Ask our office how collection works for your visit.
CLIA-Certified Lab Analysis
Your sample is sent to the GeneSight® laboratory, which is CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited, and the laboratory returns the results to your clinician.
Review With Your Prescriber
You review the results with your prescriber, who considers them alongside your history and symptoms when planning treatment.
Clinical Guidance & Scientific References
Clinical Scope: Pharmacogenomic testing does not diagnose psychiatric conditions and does not replace comprehensive medical evaluation. Genetic variations provide adjunctive information regarding drug metabolism (pharmacokinetics) to assist the prescribing physician; they do not guarantee drug efficacy or clinical response. All prescribing decisions remain based on thorough diagnostic evaluation, clinical judgment, and patient history.