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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffIt usually takes about two to five days to get the results of the CYP450 test. You and your doctor will discuss the results and how they might affect your treatment options.
The CYP450 test divides people into four main types:
- Normal metabolizers. If the test shows that you process certain antidepressants normally, you're more likely to benefit from treatment and to have fewer side effects than are people who don't metabolize medications as well.
- Intermediate metabolizers. Because you have at least one gene involved in drug metabolism that doesn't function normally, you may not process some medications as well as normal metabolizers do.
- Slow metabolizers. If you metabolize certain drugs more slowly than normal, medications can build up in your system, with the potential for serious side effects.
- Ultrarapid metabolizers. In this case, medications leave your body too quickly — often before they have a chance to work properly.
Test limitations
Although they may be a good first step in personalized medicine, genotyping tests have limitations. One is that they can't predict if certain medications will actually work — they can only show which probably won't work. In addition, the CYP450 test only looks at some of the genes involved in metabolizing drugs. Not all antidepressants are processed by these genes. Those that are included:
- Amitriptyline
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Desipramine (Norpramin)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)
Finally, genotyping tests aren't yet available in all communities nor do all doctors use them. And some health insurance plans don't cover the tests, so check with your health insurance provider. If you opt for testing, keep in mind that the CYP450 genotyping test isn't meant to be the only way to determine which antidepressants to try. A thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation, as well as consideration of your preferences and lifestyle, is equally important.
