Pharmacogenomics is the study of how your genes can affect your body's response to, and interaction with, some medications. Pharmacogenomics testing is a type of genetic test, and it's a tool your healthcare provider may use to identify the right medication for you.

Many factors affect how you respond to medication, including:

• Age
• Illness or organ dysfunction, especially kidney or liver function
• Food interactions
• Genetics
• Other medications
• Race and ethnicity
• Sex
• Smoking and alcohol use

Your healthcare provider may order pharmacogenomic testing to guide your medication use for several reasons, including to:

• Identify a medication or dose most likely to work for you before you take it
• Avoid or prevent serious side effects related to certain medications
• Adjust the dose of a current medication or recommend a different medication

Pharmacogenomic testing does not apply to all medications, address all drug side effects or drug allergies, or explain drug-drug interactions or drug-food interactions.