Pharmacogenetic Testing at Alleviant

Have you ever tried a psychiatric medication that didn’t work — or made things worse? You’re not alone.

Each person’s body processes medications differently, which is why trial and error is still common in mental health treatment.

At Alleviant, we offer pharmacogenetic testing — a simple, non-invasive DNA test that helps us understand how your unique genetic makeup affects your response to medications. This allows us to choose the right medications more safely and efficiently, avoiding guesswork.

What Is Pharmacogenetic Testing?

Pharmacogenetic testing (often called PGx testing) looks at specific genes that influence how your body:

• Metabolizes medications

• Activates or inactivates drug compounds

• Responds to side effects

• Transports medications across the blood-brain barrier

We use this data to guide medication selection, dosing, and strategy — especially when treating depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, and more.

Who Benefits from PGx Testing?

This test is recommended for patients who:

• Have tried multiple medications without success

• Experienced severe side effects or sensitivities

• Have a family history of mental health medication challenges

• Are considering starting a new psychiatric medication

• Want a data-driven approach to improve outcomes

• Are managing multiple medications (especially in older adults)

How It Works

1. Quick Swab — A cheek swab is collected in our office or at home

2. Genetic Analysis — A certified lab analyzes your DNA

3. Detailed Report — We receive a report highlighting which medications are likely to be safe, effective, or best avoided

4. Treatment Integration — Your psychiatric provider reviews the report and uses it to inform your care plan

Your Treatment, Tailored to Your Genetics

PGx testing allows us to:

• Avoid medications that may be ineffective or harmful for you

• Reduce time spent on trial-and-error prescribing

• Fine-tune dosages based on metabolism speed

• Improve tolerability and long-term success with medication

• Build a treatment plan that fits your biology, not just your symptoms

We Don’t Treat Everyone the Same — Because You’re Not Everyone

When combined with spectral EEG (sEEG) and our Objective Psychiatry model, pharmacogenetic testing gives us a full picture of your brain, biology, and treatment needs — helping us deliver smarter, safer, and more effective care.