Matching drugs to DNA is new era of medicine

Genetic variations affect how patients respond to medication. Pharmacogenomics testing assists doctors in making the most effective drug and dosage decisions and preventing serious adverse effects

Why do some people respond favourably to certain antidepressants while others don’t? Why do individuals need different amounts of the anti-seizure medication phenytoin? Why does a particular dose of the analgesic tramadol result in a fatal overdose for one person but not in another?

A ‘One size fits all’ approach is frequently used when prescribing medicines. However, the same drug may have different effects on different patients due to genetic differences. Some patients may experience the desired effect while others may have an adverse drug reaction (ADR), which can result in medication non-compliance, permanent disability, or even death.

“Many drugs on the market today are ‘one size fits all,’ but they don’t all operate in the same way on different individuals. It can be challenging to anticipate who will respond well to a treatment, who won’t respond at all, and who will experience unwanted side effects,” says Anu Acharya, CEO, MapMy Genome. “Adverse drug reactions are a major cause for concern in both hospital admissions and fatalities worldwide,” she adds.

The field of pharmacogenomics is expanding, and MapMyGenome has introduced MedicaMap, a cuttingedge pharmacogenomic solution that analyses a person’s response to medications based on genetic makeup. It covers over 165 drugs. Pharmacogenomics examines how your DNA influences your reaction to medicines. A blood sample, buccal (cheek) swab, or saliva sample are all used in pharmacogenetic tests.

Anu says, “According to a study in The Pharmacogenomics Journal, Indians are more likely than Westerners to experience heart-related issues brought on by medication, and they also have a variety of reactions to common medicines like warfarin (anti-coagulant drugs), metformin (diabetes drug), and clopidogrel (antiplatelet drug). The need for comprehensive pharmacogenomic data specific to India is highlighted by the wide range of responses Indians have to medicines.”

Such testing can also help when a person’s immune system needs to be suppressed (blocked or ‘turned down’) after an organ transplant.