Your DNA Holds the Key to the Right Medication
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing analyzes your unique genetic profile to identify which psychiatric medications will work best for you — and which to avoid — eliminating the costly trial-and-error approach to mental health treatment.
Your Genetic Blueprint
- 15+ Years Experience
- Yale-Trained Psychiatrist
- Evidence-Based Care
- Most Insurances Accepted
- PA & KS Licensed
Science-Backed Precision for Your Mental Health
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is the study of how your genes affect your body’s response to medications. At Centia Health, we use this powerful science to take the guesswork out of psychiatric prescribing.
Every person metabolizes medications differently. What works beautifully for one patient may cause intolerable side effects — or provide no relief — in another. These differences are largely genetic, encoded in your DNA at birth.
Pharmacogenomic testing analyzes specific genes responsible for how your liver processes psychiatric medications, how your brain responds to their effects, and how efficiently your body eliminates them. The result is a personalized medication profile that guides Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka, our Yale-trained, triple-board-certified psychiatrist, in designing a treatment plan built around your unique biology.
Whether you’re starting treatment for depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, or you’ve struggled for years without finding the right medication, PGx testing can provide clarity and a clear path forward.
This is not one-size-fits-all psychiatry. This is precision mental health care — the Centia Health way.
Our Tool: Genomind Professional PGx
At Centia Health, we use Genomind — one of the most comprehensive pharmacogenomic platforms available — as a core part of our treatment approach. A simple cheek swab generates a detailed report of your personal genetic profile, revealing how your biology may influence your response to psychiatric medications and highlighting potential drug-gene interactions. We integrate these insights directly into treatment planning, allowing us to be far more precise in medication selection from the outset. This can meaningfully shorten the time it takes to find the right medication — sparing patients the frustration and setbacks of a prolonged trial-and-error process. Genomind testing is especially valuable for individuals with treatment-resistant conditions, those managing multiple medications, or anyone with complex clinical pictures involving co-occurring medical problems where getting the medication right the first time matters most.
Key Genes We Analyze
CYP2D6 & CYP2C19
Primary enzymes metabolizing most antidepressants and antipsychotics
SLC6A4 (Serotonin Transporter)
Predicts response to SSRIs like sertraline and escitalopram
COMT & DRD2
Dopamine pathway genes influencing ADHD and psychosis medications
CYP2C9 & CYP3A4
Critical for mood stabilizers including valproate and carbamazepine
MTHFR & BDNF
Folate metabolism and neuroplasticity markers relevant to treatment-resistant depression
Simple Steps to Smarter Medication Decisions
From a quick cheek swab to a personalized medication report — our streamlined process delivers actionable insights without disrupting your life.
Schedule Your Consultation
Provide a Simple Cheek Swab
Receive Your Genetic Report
Personalized Treatment Plan
Who Benefits Most from PGx Testing?
Pharmacogenomic testing can benefit almost anyone beginning psychiatric medication — but it is especially valuable for patients in these situations.
Depression & Anxiety
Identify the antidepressant or anxiolytic your genetics are most compatible with — from SSRIs and SNRIs to newer modalities — before the first prescription.
ADHD
Determine stimulant metabolism rates and receptor sensitivity to optimize dosing of Adderall, Vyvanse, Strattera, and other ADHD medications.
Bipolar Disorder
Optimize mood stabilizer selection and reduce toxicity risk by understanding how your body processes lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, and atypical antipsychotics.
Treatment-Resistant Conditions
Patients who have tried multiple medications without success often discover a genetic explanation — and a clear path to effective treatment — through PGx testing.
PTSD & Trauma
Select the most genetically compatible PTSD medications — including prazosin, sertraline, and paroxetine — and avoid those associated with adverse genetic interactions.
Polypharmacy & Complex Cases
Patients managing multiple conditions benefit from understanding cross-medication genetic interactions, reducing the risk of dangerous drug-drug-gene interactions.
Benefits That Go Beyond Better Prescribing
We specialize in the intersection of mind and body — understanding that ADHD rarely exists alone.
Eliminate the Medication Trial-and-Error Cycle
Achieve Faster Relief & Better Outcomes
Reduce Side Effects & Adverse Drug Reactions
A Lifelong Resource — Tested Once, Referenced Forever
Often Covered by Insurance
"Pharmacogenomics represents one of the most significant advances in modern psychiatry. For the first time, we can match a patient's biological makeup to the right medication — not through guesswork, but through science."
Questions About PGx Testing
We believe informed patients make empowered decisions. Here are answers to questions we hear most often.
What is pharmacogenomic testing and how does it work?
Pharmacogenomic testing analyzes specific genes in your DNA that influence how your body processes medications. A simple cheek swab is collected, sent to a certified lab, and your genetic variants are mapped to hundreds of medications — revealing which are likely to be effective, ineffective, or potentially harmful for you.
Is pharmacogenomic testing painful or invasive?
Not at all. The sample is collected using a simple buccal (cheek) swab — a cotton swab rubbed gently on the inside of your cheek for a few seconds. It’s completely painless and takes under two minutes. No needles or blood draws are required.
Does insurance cover pharmacogenomic testing?
Many insurance plans — including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and others — provide coverage for pharmacogenomic testing when medically necessary. Centia Health accepts most major insurance plans and our team can assist you in verifying your benefits. Telehealth options are also available to ensure accessibility.
How long does it take to receive results?
Results are typically available within 7 to 14 business days from the time your sample reaches the laboratory. Once results are in, Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka will schedule a follow-up appointment to review your genetic report in detail and develop your personalized treatment plan.
Will I need to be retested in the future?
No. Your genetic makeup does not change over your lifetime. Once you are tested, your pharmacogenomic profile is a permanent resource that can guide medication decisions for any condition, with any provider, for the rest of your life. You are tested once and your results are referenced forever.
Can telehealth patients access pharmacogenomic testing?
Yes. Centia Health offers fully integrated telehealth services for patients in Pennsylvania and Kansas. For pharmacogenomic testing, a collection kit can be sent directly to your home. You complete the cheek swab at your convenience, mail it back to the lab, and receive a full review of your results via a secure virtual appointment.
Is my genetic data kept private and secure?
Absolutely. Your genetic information is protected under HIPAA, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), and our rigorous privacy standards. Your genetic data is used exclusively for clinical decision-making and is never sold or shared with third parties without your explicit consent.