A prescription that works wonders for someone else could barely work at all for you...
And that's even if you're the same age... have the same condition... and take the exact same dose. While the other person feels better, you find hardly any relief – or wind up with nasty side effects.
What gives?
You might be tempted to blame the medication itself or even something you ate. But the real culprit could be something you've had since you were born...
Your genes.
You see, genes don't just determine things like eye color, hair color, and height. They can also affect how your body handles certain medications.
And thanks to advances in genetic testing, it's possible to predict how you'll respond to a prescription before you even take the first dose.
Here's what you should know...
When it comes to how medications get processed in your body, one organ does most of the heavy lifting...
Located just below your right rib cage, your liver acts as the main detoxifier for your blood. That means it filters your blood to remove harmful substances, breaking down toxins from whatever you ingest (and even what you breathe in).
To accomplish this feat, your liver uses proteins called enzymes. Some folks have enzymes that work speedily, while others might have enzymes that work more slowly to metabolize and remove the medication from your body.
Your genes determine how efficiently certain enzymes do their jobs. And that's where pharmacogenetics comes in.
It's a mouthful of a word, but the idea behind it is simple...
Pharmacogenetics looks at how differences in your DNA affect your body's response to medications. Depending on the drug, these genetic differences can play a role in how quickly your body breaks it down... how well it works... or how large your risk of suffering side effects is.
And sometimes, those differences can lead to serious consequences...
For example, take clopidogrel, also known as Plavix. This drug prevents platelets in your blood from clumping together to form clots. Doctors usually prescribe this drug to reduce the risk of these clots causing a heart attack or stroke.
The thing is, for clopidogrel to work, it needs to be activated by the CYP2C19 liver enzyme. And some folks have variations in the CYP2C19 gene that make it harder for their bodies to activate the drug... which means decreased antiplatelet protection and an increased risk of clot formation.
But thanks to pharmacogenetics, doctors can figure out whether you need a different antiplatelet medication. And that's a big deal if you're trying to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Clopidogrel isn't the only example, either... Genetic testing can also provide guidance on the use of certain antidepressants, pain medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and more.
Pharmacogenetic testing can also reduce the likelihood of bad side effects and help your doctor figure out the best dosage.
Just keep in mind that it's not solely your genes that affect how a medication works. Other factors – like your age, other prescriptions you're on, and kidney and liver function – also play a role.
Should You Get Tested?
Don't order an expensive DNA test just yet... Pharmacogenetic testing isn't necessary for everyone. But in certain situations, it might be worth discussing with your doctor. For instance, if...
- You're starting a medication with a known gene-drug interaction.
- Your medication isn't working as expected.
- You're experiencing unusual side effects.
- You're taking multiple medications, which means you have an increased risk of potentially dangerous side effects from interactions between your genes and the drugs.
The test itself is pretty straightforward. It typically involves a cheek swab, saliva sample, or blood sample. Some tests can even be done with an at-home kit.
Just be sure to check with your insurance company before scheduling a test, since coverage might vary. You don't want to be stuck with a hefty bill.
Now, of course, choosing the right medications is one thing...
But what if scientists could use the same kind of genetic information to help discover entirely new medicines?
Well, that's one of the possibilities being explored with the help of AI.
By analyzing genetic information alongside medical records and treatment outcomes, AI could help scientists uncover patterns that lead to better treatments and faster drug discoveries.
The catch, though, is data...
Even the most powerful AI supercomputer needs reliable data. Bringing all that medical information together isn't an easy feat.
That's where things get interesting – especially on the investing side...
In a recent issue of Prosperity Investor, my team and I explored a big government-backed initiative aimed at using AI to speed up scientific discoveries. We identified one company that's well positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for high-quality medical data. If you're not a subscriber, you can grab a trial subscription here.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: Benjamin Franklin's weird method of preparing a turkey.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
November 10, 2026