What to expect when your child has a pharmacogenomics (PGx) appointment
Whether you come to the clinic or are seen virtually, the Children’s Minnesota PGx clinic appointments are safe and welcoming spaces where we talk about your child’s experience with medications and how PGx testing may help. Many families come to our PGx clinic after being referred to us by another healthcare provider. Our team will help you through all the steps needed to arrange a PGx test if needed.
All of us have different versions of the same genes in our body. That’s what makes all of us different from each other. A PGx test looks at how these different versions of genes affect how the body handles and reacts to drugs. Understanding these differences can explain why some people don’t respond well to standard doses of medicines or have side effects.
Partnering with our pharmacogenomics team to unlock the secrets in your DNA
One of the most important parts of your visit is the collaboration between you and our PGx team. We want to get to know your child, family history and understand your goals for your child’s medicines and other health outcomes.
During your appointment, we will ask detailed questions about your child’s responses to current and past medicines. Some questions might not seem relevant now but know that PGx test can help choose future medications too. Each question serves as a clue to guide us toward getting your child on the right medications.
What to expect during your first visit to the pharmacogenomics clinic
Your first visit is about gathering medical information and deciding if PGx testing is right for your child. If you decide to proceed with testing after talking with our pharmacist and genetic counselor, we will provide you with information about the testing process.
In most cases, no blood draw is necessary for testing. Most of the time, we can collect a DNA sample by having your child spit into a tube or gently rubbing a swab inside their mouth. This sample is sent to a laboratory that runs genetic tests. The results are usually available in 4 – 6 weeks. We will schedule a follow-up appointment to review the lab results and your personalized medication recommendations.
How long are the pharmacogenomics appointments and what do I bring?
A visit with our PGx pharmacist and genetic counselors isn’t too different from your average doctor’s visit. Here is what you can expect:
- Remember to bring your ID and insurance card to each appointment.
- Your first visit can last 45 minutes to 1 hour
- It will be important to provide a list of your child’s current medicines
- It is also helpful to provide a list of medicines your child took in the past and how they responded – for example, if they didn’t work or had side effects
- Your follow-up visit will vary depending on the test results. Most follow up visits are less than 1 hour
- If this is an in-person visit, be sure to bring along any games, toys, books, or snacks your child enjoys.
Does my child need to come to the appointments?
Whether the appointment is in person or a virtual visit, if your child is not old enough, or able to participate in a discussion about their medications, they do not need to attend the appointment. Older children and adolescents who can tell us about their reactions to medications are encouraged to be at the appointment.
Why does my medical history matter?
We know you’re here for your child, but families are connected by their DNA. We might ask about how you or your other children react to certain medicines. Depending on what we learn from your child’s results, we might suggest that you or your other children get tested too.
Continuing the benefits of precision medicine through follow-ups
We would like to keep in touch with you after your initial PGx clinic visits. This is an exciting time and research is providing new information almost daily. You can contact us anytime via the My Children’s Portal or by phone, especially if your child is starting a new medication. We recommend checking in at least once a year so we can provide updated reports that may include new drugs or new information about your child’s PGx results.
Appointment attendance and cancelation
We understand that life can be busy and plans change. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, it’s important to contact the clinic right away so we can offer that time to another patient who needs care. For more details, visit our page on appointment attendance and no-show process.
