What Is Genetic Testing for Mental Health Medication? By Reshana Dupree, PMHNP-BC.

Finding the right psychiatric medication often involves trial and error. Pharmacogenomics — the study of how your genes affect your response to medications — is changing that.

How Pharmacogenomic Testing Works: A simple, painless cheek swab collected at our Wake Forest office is sent to a specialized laboratory. Results typically come back within one to two weeks.

What the Results Tell Us: Which medications are most likely to be effective for you. Which medications may cause adverse side effects. Optimal dosing based on how quickly your body processes certain drugs. Drug interactions that could be problematic.

Who Benefits Most: Those who have tried multiple medications without success, experienced significant side effects, are starting medication for the first time, or want to optimize treatment from the beginning.

Insurance Coverage: Many insurance plans cover pharmacogenomic testing, especially after previous medication trials have been unsuccessful.

FAQ: Is genetic testing covered by insurance? Many plans cover it, especially after previous medication trials. How long for results? 1-2 weeks after the cheek swab. Does it replace a psychiatric evaluation? No, it supplements clinical evaluation.