Pharmacogenetic Testing: Application in Mental Health Prescribing.

BACKGROUND: Despite extensive scholastic and professional training, medication management in psychiatry is often relegated to trial-and-error prescribing. Pharmacogenetic testing (PGT) may expedite identification of medications with maximal efficacy and minimal side effects by recognizing individual genetic variability in drug response.

OBJECTIVES: This article outlines the background of PGT, explains drug metabolism, and evaluates the impact of PGT.

DESIGN: A review of the literature since 2010 found 42 articles regarding PGT in clinical nursing settings on PubMed and ProQuest.

RESULTS: Despite continuing rises in health care costs, new biotechnology has led to a decrease in the cost of genetic sequencing and application of PGT to practice.

CONCLUSION: As PGT becomes increasingly prevalent, nurses should be knowledgeable of its purpose, possibilities, and potential limitations to provide accurate and up-to-date patient information.