1. L A B O R A T O R I E SL A B O R A T O R I E S
Know the right drug and the right dosage
before they take the medication.
PHARMACOGENOMIC TESTING FOR
MENTAL HEALTH
Neuroactive drugs (NAD’s) such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics are important treatments
for mental health. However, determining efficacy and appropriate dosage can be difficult, resulting in
potentially negative outcomes:
• Approximately 50% of all patients do not respond well enough to first line medication – requiring a
time-consuming and exhaustive trial and error process to assess the optimal drug.
• Treatment benefits can also take weeks to achieve, prolonging the trial and error process even further.
• Patients may encounter adverse side effects with no benefits or face negative reactions with NAD’s
interact with other prescription medications.

2. Pharmacogenetic Testing for Response to Neuroactive Drugs
Research has demonstrated that genetic factors may profoundly influence a person’s response to
medications‚ including possible side effects.1
Physicians are increasingly relying on pharmacogenetic testing
to help personalize treatment by predicting patient response.
The FDA now requires pharmacogenetic information to be
included on package inserts for NAD’s that are used to treat
mental health.
Exceltox’s advanced pharmacogenetic testing technology
analyzes structural changes in a gene’s DNA sequence to assess
the influence of a drug in a particular patient – allowing
physicians to understand if a patient could have a toxic reaction
to a drug even with a low dosage, or if they would not respond to
even a high dosage of the medication.
Cytochrome P450 Enzymes
CYP450 enzymes are a group of proteins that help the body
metabolize a wide variety of foreign compounds.
Genetic variants of CYP450 alter the rate of drug metabolism –
causing increased or decreased drug efficacy or adverse drug
reactions.
Pharmacogenetic Testing for CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYPA4, and CYP3A5
CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYPA4, and CYP3A5 are part of the Cytochrome P450 family, and are responsible for
metabolizing NAD’s. However genetic variations of these CYP’s resulting in a spectrum of patient outcomes
ranging from non-response to severe toxicity though prescribed an appropriate dose.
References
1. Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Genotyping: Optimizing Patient Care Through Pharmacogenetics. Communiqué Mayo Reference Services. 2005
Sep. Vol 30, No. 9.
Amitriptyline
Aripiprazole
Atomoxetine
Chlordiazepoxide
Citalopram
Clomipramine
Clozapine
Desipramine
Diazepam
Doxepin
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Iloperidone
Imipramine
Modafinil
Nefazodone
Nortriptyline
Olanzapine
Paroxetine
Perphenazine
Pimozide
Protriptyline
Risperidone
Thioridazine
Trimipramine
Valproic Acid
Venlafaxine
Neuroactive drugs with
pharmacogenetic information
included in package insert
Source: FDA.gov “Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers in Drug Labeling”
Benefits of Pharmacogenetic Testing for Neuroactive Drugs
• Pharmacogenetic testing for NAD’s can help
physicians implement the appropriate drug and
dosage to minimize the risk of adverse side
effects or toxic reactions and ensure proper
response.
• Determining the optimal drug early on can avoid
an exhaustive, time-consuming process of
treatment trial and error that may have negative
effects or no benefit at all.
• Cytochrome P450 genotyping tests can be
performed without taking patients off their
medications.1
• Testing information can be used as an adjunct to
other tools for clearer guidance in selecting
among various therapeutic choices each patient.
Knowing the right drug and the right dosage
for every patient in pain.
That’s personalized medicine,
powered by Exceltox Pharmacogenomics testing.
Excellence in Science, Service, & Results.
info@exceltox.com
Client Services (877) 202-7019
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L A B O R A T O R I E S