Medication Management ยท October 5, 2026
Genetic Testing in Psychiatric Care: What to Know
By Kathie Bolles, PMHNP-BC
Genetic (pharmacogenomic) testing in psychiatry analyzes genes involved in how the body processes certain medications, and it can be one tool among many in medication planning. The FDA has cautioned that many genetic tests claiming to predict response to specific psychiatric medications have not been reviewed, and that sufficient clinical evidence is not currently available to support those claims for most medications. At Mynd Works Psychiatry in Austin, Texas, genetic testing is offered where clinically appropriate as one input into collaborative medication planning, never as a guarantee.
What is pharmacogenomic testing?
Pharmacogenomic testing looks at genetic variations that can influence how medications are metabolized, such as enzymes in the CYP450 family that break down many psychiatric drugs. The FDA maintains a table of gene-drug associations that have sufficient evidence to be clinically useful for some medications.
For those specific associations, results can inform dosing or safety considerations. For most psychiatric medications, however, the evidence does not support using a genetic test to predict which drug will work best or cause fewer side effects.
What does the FDA say about these tests?
In its 2018 safety communication, the FDA warned that many genetic tests marketed with claims about predicting patient response to specific medications have not been reviewed by the agency, and that sufficient clinical evidence is not available for those claims for most medications.
The FDA advises that patients and providers should not start, stop, or change a medication regimen based solely on results from such unsubstantiated tests, because doing so could mean abandoning a medication that is working or taking one that is ineffective.
How is genetic testing used in psychiatric care?
Where evidence exists, genetic testing can be one factor among many in medication planning, alongside clinical history, symptoms, prior medication trials, and your preferences. It is a data point, not a verdict.
Response to psychiatric medication depends on many factors beyond a few genes: age, other medications, diet, and the nature of the condition itself all matter, which is why a thorough evaluation comes first.
What should I keep in mind?
Results should always be interpreted by a qualified clinician as part of the full picture, never acted on alone. Ask what the test can and cannot tell you before doing it, and be wary of any product promising to name the one medication that will work for you.
Medically responsible care is transparent about these limits, which is the standard Mynd Works follows.
Does Mynd Works offer genetic testing?
Mynd Works offers genetic testing where clinically appropriate as one tool to inform medication planning, and it is discussed with you in advance, including what it can and cannot tell you.
It is never presented as a guarantee of outcomes. Questions about testing are welcome during a consultation or can be reviewed in the FAQ.
Common questions
Does genetic testing tell me which medication will work?
No, not reliably for most psychiatric medications. The FDA has stated that sufficient clinical evidence is not currently available to support claims that these tests can predict response to specific psychiatric drugs for most medications.
Do I need genetic testing to start psychiatric medication?
No. Most medication decisions are made through a thorough evaluation and collaborative planning, with genetic testing used only where it may genuinely add information.
How does Mynd Works use genetic testing results?
Results, where used, are interpreted in the context of your full clinical picture and discussed with you openly, as one input among many, never as a guarantee.
