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Prevent Adverse Drug Reactions
Identify patients who may be poor or ultra-rapid metabolizers before prescribing, reducing the risk of toxicity, overdose, or dangerous drug accumulation.
Pharmacogenomics PGx
Precision Medication Management for Physicians Nationwide
US Biosciences performs pharmacogenomic testing exclusively on the PacBio Vega™ HiFi long-read sequencing platform, helping clinicians understand how a patient may absorb, metabolize, and respond to medication before preventable medication problems occur.
Ready to Order Pharmacogenomic Testing?
Download the official US Biosciences PGx Test Requisition Form.
📄 Download PGx Test Requisition Form
Overview
One Buccal Swab. Lifetime Medication Insight.
Adverse drug reactions and subtherapeutic responses account for hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year. In many cases, the underlying issue is genetic variation in the enzymes and transporters responsible for medication response.
Pharmacogenomic testing identifies clinically actionable variants from a single buccal swab, giving providers the molecular context needed to select the right medication at the right dose. A patient's germline PGx profile does not change, which means one test can support medication decisions across the patient's future care journey.
Results are interpreted and reported in alignment with CPIC guidelines, helping clinical teams make informed prescribing decisions across psychiatry, cardiology, pain management, oncology, immunology, and other medication categories.
PGx Test Snapshot
- Specimen: buccal swab
- Platform: PacBio Vega™ HiFi long-read sequencing
- Panel: 13 clinically actionable pharmacogenes
- Medication coverage: 80+ medications
- Medical necessity: medication and ICD-10 documentation required
- Reporting: metabolizer phenotype and medication-specific interpretation
Why Providers Order PGx
Give Prescribers Better Context Before Medication Risk Becomes a Problem
PGx testing helps providers move from trial-and-error prescribing toward a more personalized medication strategy.
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Optimize Medication Selection
For patients who have failed multiple medications, PGx can provide molecular context and guide selection of better tolerated alternatives.
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Support Dosing Decisions
Metabolizer phenotype can inform dose adjustments, especially for narrow therapeutic index drugs such as warfarin, tacrolimus, and certain antidepressants.
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One Test, Lifetime Value
A patient's germline PGx profile does not change, so results from one collection remain relevant for future prescribing decisions involving covered genes.
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Documentation Built In
The requisition captures medication and ICD-10 documentation needed for medical necessity, aligned with CPT 81418 sub-panel and comprehensive panel requirements.
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Provider-Focused Reporting
Reports communicate gene-by-gene metabolizer phenotype, medication-specific interpretation, and patient-friendly summary information.
Technology Advantage
Powered by PacBio Vega™ HiFi Long-Read Sequencing
HiFi long-read sequencing helps resolve complex pharmacogenomic regions that can be difficult to interpret using conventional short-read methods.
Clinical Confidence
Clearer Calls for Complex Star Alleles
The PGx panel is designed to accurately resolve complex star allele haplotypes, including genes such as CYP2D6 where short-read sequencing may produce ambiguous calls. This supports more confident phenotype predictions, including poor, intermediate, normal, rapid, and ultra-rapid metabolizer status.
For providers managing complex medication decisions, clearer genetic interpretation can support safer prescribing, better dose selection, and more informed patient conversations.
Common Clinical Areas
- Psychiatry and behavioral health
- Cardiology and anticoagulation management
- Pain management
- Oncology medication toxicity risk
- Immunosuppressant therapy
- Statin-related myopathy risk
Comprehensive Gene Panel
Clinically Actionable Pharmacogenes Across Major Medication Categories
All testing is performed on the PacBio Vega™ HiFi platform. At least one medication with a corresponding ICD-10 code is required for medical necessity.
| Gene(s) | Clinical Role | Therapeutic Area | Key Medications |
|---|---|---|---|
| CYP2D6 | Drug metabolism and poor or ultra-rapid metabolizer risk | Antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, cardiac | Amitriptyline, Aripiprazole, Atomoxetine, Carvedilol, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Ondansetron, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Tamoxifen, Tramadol, Venlafaxine, Vortioxetine |
| CYP2C19 | Prodrug activation and metabolism | Antidepressants, antiplatelet, antifungals, PPIs | Amitriptyline, Citalopram, Clopidogrel, Escitalopram, Lansoprazole, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Sertraline, Voriconazole |
| CYP2C9 | NSAID and anticoagulant metabolism | NSAIDs, antiepileptics, anticoagulants | Celecoxib, Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen, Meloxicam, Phenytoin, Piroxicam, Siponimod |
| SLCO1B1 | Statin transport and myopathy risk | Statins and cholesterol management | Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pitavastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin |
| DPYD / NUDT15 / TPMT | Chemotherapy toxicity risk | Oncology, fluoropyrimidines and thiopurines | Capecitabine, Fluorouracil, Azathioprine, Mercaptopurine, Thioguanine |
| CYP2B6 | HIV and antidepressant metabolism | Antiretrovirals and antidepressants | Efavirenz, Sertraline |
| CYP3A4 / CYP3A5 | Major drug-metabolizing enzymes | Immunosuppressants and broad medication interactions | Tacrolimus and broad medication interaction support |
| VKORC1 / CYP4F2 / 2C Cluster | Anticoagulant sensitivity and dosing | Anticoagulation management | Warfarin dosing optimization |
Frequently Asked Questions
PGx Testing Questions for Providers
Common questions physicians and clinical teams ask when evaluating pharmacogenomic testing.
Which patients are appropriate candidates for pharmacogenomic testing?
PGx testing is appropriate when medication selection, dosing, or avoidance is a clinical concern. High-value candidates include patients with unexpected adverse drug reactions, patients failing standard therapies, patients on polypharmacy regimens, patients beginning psychiatric medications, patients prescribed antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy, and oncology patients before fluoropyrimidine or thiopurine chemotherapy.
How is US Biosciences' PGx testing different from other labs?
US Biosciences performs PGx testing exclusively on the PacBio Vega™ HiFi long-read sequencing platform. HiFi long-read technology helps resolve complex gene regions and star allele haplotypes that can be difficult to call accurately with conventional short-read methods.
What does the result report include?
Each result includes gene-by-gene metabolizer phenotype, medication-specific interpretation for ordered drugs, informed prescribing guidance aligned with CPIC guidelines, and a patient-friendly summary. For complex panels, potential drug-gene and drug-drug-gene interactions may be flagged.
How does billing and insurance work for PGx testing?
US Biosciences accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance plans. The requisition is structured around CPT code 81418 sub-panel and comprehensive gene panel requirements and captures the medication and ICD-10 documentation needed for medical necessity. Self-pay and client-bill options are also available.
Is PGx testing a one-time test?
Yes. A patient's germline pharmacogenomic profile does not change over their lifetime. Once tested, results remain clinically relevant for future prescribing decisions involving the covered genes and medications.
Ready to Order PGx?
Bring Precision Medication Management to Your Practice
Connect with a US Biosciences representative to discuss PGx testing, ordering requirements, payer documentation, and provider onboarding.