Frequently Asked Questions

What causes so much variability in drug response between individuals?
Much of the variation in drug response is a result of patient-to-patient genetic differences.

What do these genetic differences do to cause this variability?
Research has identified many of the genetic influences on drug metabolism which can allow for greater success in selecting a specific drug and dosage level for individual patients based on their genetic makeup.

Why is selection of appropriate medication and dose the first time so important?
Physicians prescribing antidepressant and antipsychotic medications must regularly monitor patients to measure the benefits of these drugs vs. the potential risks. Some important statistics to consider are:

1. Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR's) are the fifth leading cause of death among hospital patients
2. ADR management results in twice the hospital Length of Stay
3. The cost of managing ADR's is profound, costing more than 136 billion annually to manage

What can be done to help doctors find more appropriate medications for each individual patient earlier in treatment?
Doctors can personalize treatment by considering a variety of factors which can influence the affects of medications on individual patients. One of these factors is the variability of each patient's genetics. The study of how a person's genes affect their response to medication is called pharmacogenetics.

How does AssureRx help with this problem?
AssureRx addresses the complicated problem of the appropriate drug selection for each individual patient by providing clinicians with a patient-specific report. This report may reveal if there are potential drug-to-drug interactions or possible drug side-effects based upon your individual genetic profile. This can help your doctor prescribe more suitable medications for you by accounting for your individual genetic differences.