Enomic discoveries are fast-paced: in the last five years, the number of medical conditions for which genes have been identified has increased from approximately 1,000 to 10,000, while the number of genetic tests has increased to over 50,000. An increase in knowledge and tests has created new opportunities for understanding a patient’s genetic makeup and predisposition to certain health conditions.
Genetic testing has transformed medicine into a precise health-enhancing instrument that is now capable of honing in on accurately identifiable targets within human bodies. OmeCare, a San-Diego DNA testing company, has gone so far as to offer a scoring mechanism to determine prescribed medication’s efficacy for different conditions.
OmeCare’s first such product is OmePsychiatricMed. It does the efficacy testing for antidepressants— SSRI and TCA type, mood stabilizers, atypical antipsychotics—and mental health medications and may be especially helpful in view of the rising use of antidepressants due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is taking a toll on mental health. Available data suggests that during the first wave of the pandemic anti-anxiety drugs saw the biggest spike, jumping by over 30%, which was more than double the number of insomnia aids—15%, and almost twice as high as antidepressants—close to 20%. The test in fact eliminates the tedious and frustrating trial and error process of choosing the right medication.
OmePsychiatricMed yields an analysis that indicates our body’s likely response to 50+ psychiatric medications so that a client or physician can more quickly find the most effective treatment plan. It will further show in detail which medications are not compatible with the enzymes produced by the body, reducing the risk of negative side effects. The result of the test is a more balanced and customized prescription. OmePsychiatricMeds report is based on the genetic testing data and blood test results and sorts medications by category of use— ‘Preferential Use’, ‘Use as Directed’, ‘May Have Significant Limitations’, and ‘May Cause Serious Adverse Events– providing an actionable mental health DNA insight.
PainMeds, the second OmeCare product in the line tests medication efficacy and serves as a guide for both patients and physicians to better assess the consequences of taking pain medication. The Genetic Test for Pain Management Medication Efficacy provides information about genetic variables that can be shared with physicians for personalized care. The test includes detailed breakdowns of each core aspect of a person’s genetic markers and gives recommendations on how to improve one’s health. The report provides insights as to how one’s body responds to 13 pain relief medications. This data helps physicians determine the best treatment and avoid adverse effects. PainMeds tells how our body metabolizes a particular pain drug, which medications may cause unpleasant or even life-threatening side effects, and specifies safe dosage. PainMeds reports are based on scientifically verified genetic information, which favorably distinguishes OmeCare from its competitors. As a result, each finding in the report that goes to the client is assigned a score that shows how strong is the scientific basis of a particular finding. Both tests—OmePsychiatricMed and PainMeds—are done at home with OmeCare’s easy-to-use cheek swab.
By offering personalized products OmeCare further transforms medicine into a customized health service plan and makes the treatment of various conditions more predictable and efficient.
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