Blood test, DNA profile help determine best medications for Southern Nevada VA patients

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) - The VA Medical Center in North Las Vegas says they are the first hospital in the region to offer a new kind of testing. The goal is to look at a veteran patient’s DNA profile to help determine which medications are best for them and what medications will not work, giving doctors with VA Southern Nevada Health Care get a better idea of what’s best to prescribe.

“It’s moving towards a way in which it is precision or personalized medicine…one size doesn’t necessarily fit all,” explained Clinical Pharmacist Jenny Casiello. Pharmacogenomics, also be referred to as PGx testing, uses a patient’s own DNA profile to help determine medication choices based on their genetic makeup.

“What we know is that there is variability from individual to individual and how they’re going to respond to medications. So based on that, if we know what an individual’s genetic makeup is, it can help us to predict how they might respond,” Casiello contended. The genetic test results can be used to help prescribe medications for a number of different conditions.

“Broadly speaking, it is going to be some cardiovascular medications like statin - cholesterol drugs, antiplatelet therapies, as well as gastrointestinal medications like proton pump inhibitors,” Casiello reported. There are specific genes known to react to specific medications understand those combinations is key.

DNA profiling at VA in Las Vegas to help patients with medications(FOX5)

“The results have been really helpful, particularly on high-risk medications…The worst-case scenario is going to be an individual who shows signs and symptoms of toxicity or adverse drug reactions or side effects. And so, with pharmacogenomics, we are hoping that we can mitigate this and avoid this, and it helps us to make better drug selections for our veteran patient population,” Casiello explained.

This PGx test is a simple blood test. Any veteran patient is eligible to receive the testing through a program fully funded through the end of the year.

If you are a veteran who would like to learn more about this testing offered by the VA, click here: US DEPARTMENT OF VETRANS AFFAIRS - TESTING