Pharmacogenomics: the right drug, the right dose.

A pharmacogenomic (PGx) test reads the genes that control how your body activates, metabolises and responds to medications. It shows which drugs are likely to work well for you, which may be less effective, and which may need a different dose or an alternative — information you keep for life, because your genotype does not change.

Why pharmacogenomics matters

People respond very differently to the same medication. Much of that variation is genetic: enzymes such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and others determine how quickly a drug is broken down, which affects both effectiveness and side-effects. A PGx report translates your genotype into practical prescribing guidance across common drug classes.

A HodieLabs PGx report covers your response to 157 medications across 40 drug classes, including antidepressants, statins, opioids, blood thinners and proton-pump inhibitors.

What the clinical evidence shows

• PREPARE trial (Swen et al., The Lancet 2023): a large randomised study showing that pre-emptive pharmacogenomic-guided prescribing reduced clinically relevant adverse drug reactions by around 30%.
• CPIC guidelines: peer-reviewed, freely available guidelines translating specific gene-drug pairs into actionable prescribing recommendations.
• DPWG guidelines: the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group recommendations, used internationally alongside CPIC.

Evidence-based reference ranges

PGx results are reported as a metaboliser status for each relevant gene, which drives the prescribing guidance:

Band	Metaboliser status
Poor metaboliser	Very low enzyme activity — standard doses may cause side-effects or fail
Intermediate metaboliser	Reduced activity — may need dose adjustment
Normal metaboliser	Typical activity — standard dosing usually appropriate
Rapid / ultra-rapid metaboliser	High activity — standard doses may be less effective or need change

Clinical interpretation

• PGx guides prescribing — it does not replace clinical judgement, and any change is made with your doctor.
• Because your genotype is fixed, a single test remains useful across your lifetime and future prescriptions.
• It is most valuable for people on multiple medications, or before starting drugs with known gene-drug interactions.

How this works at HodieLabs

The Personalised Medication Report is available as an add-on to any HodieLabs membership, and complements the DNA Health Test. Results are interpreted by a doctor against CPIC and DPWG guidelines at our Melbourne Preventative Health & Longevity Clinic.

References

1. Swen JJ, et al. (PREPARE). A 12-gene pharmacogenetic panel to prevent adverse drug reactions. Lancet. 2023;401:347–356.
2. Relling MV, Klein TE. CPIC: Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011;89:464–467.
3. Swen JJ, et al. Pharmacogenetics: from bench to byte — an update of guidelines (DPWG). Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2011;89:662–673.

This page is general information from the HodieLabs Evidence-Based Clinical Library, not medical advice. Speak with your GP about what testing and care is appropriate for you.