The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Pharmacogenomics Clinic – one of the first of its kind in the country – provides patients access to genetic testing for medication response and expert interpretation of pharmacogenomic test results based on the latest clinical evidence and guidelines. The clinic is designed with patient convenience in mind as clinic appointments are conducted entirely via telehealth (virtual video visits), and the DNA sample is collected with an at-home cheek swab kit.
Using genetic information to guide medication decisions may increase the chance that a medication works well for you and may decrease the chance of serious side effects. Genetics is one of many factors that can be considered when medications are prescribed.
Everyone responds to medications differently, and some of those differences can be due to normal genetic variation. Pharmacogenomic testing can be a helpful tool for the prescribing of many common and specialty medications used to treat cardiovascular diseases, behavioral health conditions, pain, cancer, and more.
For certain medications, your pharmacogenomic test results may:
- Explain why a medication didn’t work well for you in the past, or why it caused side effects
- Provide helpful information to guide medication selection and dosing for medications you need now or potentially in the future
The clinic is a collaborative practice involving clinical pharmacists with specialized training in pharmacogenomics, a primary care physician with genomics expertise, and a genetic counselor.
To learn more about this innovative service, or to make an appointment, please call 617-525-8111 or email ggms@bwh.harvard.edu.
