Pharmacogenomics: A primer for the military mental health provider

Abstract

While the basics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have not changed much in the past two decades, the world of pharmacogenomics has seen much advancement and refinement. These advances have improved the clinical utility and applicability for those caring for individuals with a range of conditions. Indeed, there are now simple clinical tests that can tell a provider potentially useful information about clinical decisions regarding prescribing practices. This article reviews the basics of pharmacokinetics and drug interactions before covering the concepts of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenomics testing. Further, it discusses the topic of pharmacogenomics testing as it relates to the practice of military mental health providers. It explores several case scenarios to aid in clinical relevance and understanding. This article also addresses the issue of baseline pharmacogenomic testing; A recent Canadian military example and an in-depth table of commercially available pharmacogenomic tests are provided.