Mental health care: How genetic testing can help tailor treatment

Antidepressants are commonly prescribed in Australia to help ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.¹

In 2023-2024 in Australia, 5 million people received mental health-related prescriptions, 72% of which were for antidepressants.²

While they can be very effective, not every type of medication works for every person. It can take time and money to find the correct prescription and dosage as patients trial different medications.

A type of genetic testing is seeking to solve this issue and help your doctor design a personalised treatment plan, based on your likely reactions to different medications.

Medication can be an effective form of treatment for some people living with symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.³

While some may have success with the first medication they are prescribed, for others it can take time to find one that’s effective.

A study looking at 240,000 Australians began antidepressant treatment between 2013 and 2019 showed that around 1 in 5 needed a second medication, while 6% tried a third.⁴

Stopping an antidepressant suddenly can be risky, so it’s important to gradually reduce the dose under medical supervision to avoid withdrawal effects. A “washout” period, where no medication is taken, is usually recommended before starting a new antidepressant.⁵

Trialling new medications over weeks and months may also put a financial burden on patients who are paying for regular doctor appointments and the medication.

In the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Health of the Nation Report 2024, 71% of GPs report psychological issues in their top 3 reasons for presentations.⁶

If patients can’t find the right medication, this may result in repeated visits that chew up time for both doctor and patient.

While genetic testing has been used for decades, it's now being studied to assess how our genetic make-up influences our response to medications. This area of genetics is called pharmacogenomics or PGx.

People's bodies respond differently to certain medications, based on their unique genetics.

Studies indicate that over 98% of people may have a genomic variant that affects how they respond to common medications.⁷

A pharmacogenomic test could help your doctor understand which medications are more likely to work for you, and which might not work or cause issues. This may help you skip some frustrating trial and error.

The test covers more than 100 prescribed medications, which enables your doctor to see whether you have a specific gene that processes certain medications in the body.

RACGP says the key benefits of tailoring medication types and dosage to the individual using pharmacogenomic testing include a reduction in toxicity and adverse reactions and improved efficacy.6

The test itself is non-invasive and painless. A cheek swab collects cells which are then tested to map which medications are better suited to you based on genetic make-up.

A DNA test collection kit can be sent to your home. The sample collection process is simple, once complete you will need to mail the sample back to the laboratory. The results are processed, and a report is sent to your doctor.

Your doctor will review the report and make recommendations on a treatment plan for you.

While provider costs will vary, a mental health medication DNA test kit with myDNA usually costs $149, while a multiple category medication kit that includes mental health usually costs $198.

If you want to learn more about genetic testing and if it’s right for you speak to your GP.