Pharmacogenetic Case Study: "Wish I'd known this 30 years ago"

A primary care physician sent us her own pharmacogenetic specimen for analysis recently. During consultation, we discovered that she is an intermediate metabolizer of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that she has been taking for 30 years for her gastrointestinal issues. This means that she has been overdosing on this drug by taking a standard dose for decades. She has now developed kidney disease - something that may have been prevented had her dose been tailored to her genetics.

Research has shown that CYP2C19 poor or intermediate metabolizers process PPIs differently, leading to higher drug concentrations and prolonged exposure. A study in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics demonstrated that these individuals have significantly higher plasma concentrations of PPIs compared to normal metabolizers, potentially increasing risk for adverse effects including kidney damage.

Furthermore, research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found long-term PPI use is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease, with certain genetic variants potentially amplifying this risk. Poor metabolizers may be particularly vulnerable due to reduced drug clearance.

Don't wait until symptoms appear. Pharmacogenetic testing with Rxight can help identify your unique metabolizer status for numerous medications, potentially preventing serious side effects and optimizing your treatment plan.

Talk to your healthcare provider about personalized medicine through pharmacogenetic testing. One simple test could change your approach to medications for life.