DNAdose in South Yarra, Victoria | Medical service

DNAdose

Locality: South Yarra, Victoria

Phone: +61 1300 436 373

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23.01.2022 PRESCRIBING of the widely used antipsychotic risperidone has been restricted in dementia patients because of fears of increased risk of stroke. The TGA has updated the indication for risperidone (Risperdal) to limit its use for certain patients with dementia and to restrict prescribing to short-term use, of no longer than 12 weeks. Previously, risperidone was indicated more generally for the treatment of behavioural disturbances in dementia, but it is now limited to treatmen...t (up to 12 weeks) of moderate to severe dementia only of the Alzheimer type, the TGA stated. The drug’s sponsor, Janssen-Cilag, found an increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events (stroke) for patients with vascular or mixed dementia, compared with those taking risperidone for Alzheimer’s dementia. Between 1993 and 2015, there were 17 cerebrovascular adverse events in patients treated with the medication, the TGA reports. Nine of those cases were in patients with an indication of dementia or behavioural management related to dementia. While the risk of cerebrovascular adverse events is present in all atypical antipsychotics, the TGA noted that risperidone is the only one with an indication for use in patients with dementia. The myDNA genetic test, formerly known as DNAdose, can identify those patients at an increased risk of adverse events (or treatment failure) from taking around half the most common antipsychotics, including risperidone.

17.01.2022 Associate Professor Les Sheffield talks myDNA tests and pharmacogenomics on 774 ABC Melbourne https://soundcloud.com//revolutions-with-jon-faine-how-we-

16.01.2022 DRINKING coffee increases the risk of prediabetes in young adults with high blood pressure who are slow caffeine metabolisers due to a genetic abnormality, new research reveals. Coffee drinking is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (mainly heart attacks) in young adults with mild hypertension. Heavy coffee drinkers had a four-fold increased risk while moderate drinkers tripled their risk. Future prediabetes attenuated the associations suggesting that the ...effect of coffee on cardiovascular events may be mediated by its long term influence on blood pressure and glucose metabolism. However, the risk of prediabetes related to coffee consumption differed according to the CYP1A2 genotype, which determines whether individuals are fast or slow caffeine metabolisers. The risk of prediabetes was increased significantly only in slow caffeine metabolisers. "Slow caffeine metabolisers have longer exposure to the detrimental effects of caffeine on glucose metabolism, said the Italian study lead author. The risk is even greater if they are overweight or obese, and if they are heavy coffee drinkers. Thus, the effect of coffee on prediabetes depends on the amount of daily coffee intake and genetic background. These patients should be aware that coffee consumption may increase their risk of developing more severe hypertension and diabetes in later life and should keep consumption to a minimum." More detail: http://www.escardio.org//Coffee-linked-with-increased-card

06.01.2022 Taking a combination of antidepressants and common painkillers is associated with an increased risk of bleeding soon after starting treatment, finds a study published today. The researchers suggest special attention is needed when patients use both these classes of drugs together because antidepressants may interact with common painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to increase the risk of bleeding inside the skull (intracranial haemorrhage). Compar...ed with use of antidepressants alone, the Korean team found that combined use of antidepressants and NSAIDs was associated with a substantially increased bleeding risk. No statistically meaningful differences in risk of bleeding between different types of antidepressant drugs, or with age, was found in the study, published in the BMJ. Being male was the most common factor for a higher risk of bleeding with combined use of antidepressants and NSAIDs. DNAdose tests for gene abnormalities which could result in patients being more susceptible to the side-effects of antidepressants, and which could increase the risk of patients on NSAIDs to gastric ulcers or bleeding and/or cardiovascular events such as increased blood pressure. Dr Stewart Mercer at the University of Glasgow added that both types of drug are widely used, and that co-morbidity of the conditions for which these drugs are used is very high - 65% of those with major depression also have chronic pain. They urge family doctors to be extra vigilant in terms of prescribing behaviour and discussing the risks with patients, especially in deprived areas where the combination of mental and physical problems (including chronic pain) is very common.

06.01.2022 NEW expert advice recommends that there is no longer a need to take ibuprofen with food. The Australian Medicines Handbook now encourages GPs and pharmacists to advise their patients that the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) can be taken with water alone. Professor Andrew Moore, a campaigner for the change in Australia, is quoted in Medical Observer, the newspaper for GPs, saying there is substantial research into the effects of analgesics before and after food. ...The results show that taking analgesia with food lowers the blood plasma concentration, which is the exact opposite of what we’re trying to achieve, because we know that high early plasma concentrations are strongly associated with analgesic efficacy, Professor Moore says. When you take an NSAID such as ibuprofen with food, it may not work as well as it could, meaning that people are more likely to take a second dose of tablets. This increases the safety risk, including the risk of possible adverse events. myDNA, formerly known as DNAdose, identifies those intermediate or poor metabolisers of the CYP2C9 enzyme who have an increased risk of adverse drug reactions to NSAIDs. This could result in gastric ulcers or bleeding and/or cardiovascular events such as increased blood pressure, which increases the overall cardiovascular risk of the patient. Better advice, says Professor Moore, is to take a lower dose of fast-acting NSAID on an empty stomach, thereby reducing individual exposure while maximising the prospect of effective pain relief. Advice to always take ibuprofen with or shortly after food is therefore inappropriate, he adds. www.myDNA.life

03.01.2022 PATIENTS could save hundreds of dollars on prescriptions every year if their doctors used pharmacogenomic testing with tests like DNAdose, a new study suggests. The research, published in Current Medical Research and Opinion, demonstrated US$1,000 (around AUS$1,300) in annual prescription savings per patient when US healthcare providers used results from a test similar to myDNA, formerly known as DNAdose, to guide treatment decisions compared with usual trial-and-error prescr...ibing. For more information on myDNA tests visit: www.myDNA.life The study, based on data from more than 13,000 patients being treated for mental health issues, analysed whether the test, which evaluates multiple genetic factors that influence an individual's response to medications, improves adherence and leads to cost savings. The study found that: Patients receiving the test averaged savings of $1,036 per year in pharmacy costs alone compared to traditional prescribing methods; Annual savings were substantial, regardless of whether patients were treated by psychiatrists, GPs in primary care practices, or other healthcare professionals; Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications) was reduced with one out of five patients being prescribed fewer medications after testing. The study compared pharmacy claims over a one year period between a patient group whose treatment with antidepressants or antipsychotics was guided by the test and a control group whose treatment was decided using traditional prescribing methods. Associate Professor Les Sheffield, clinical director of My DNA Life, said: This is yet more strong evidence that pharmacogenomic tests such as our DNAdose test, which also covers antidepressants and antipsychotics, can save patients significant amounts of money as well as improving their health outcomes. This is especially relevant for mental health medications, due to the trial-and-error nature of prescribing without the insight DNAdose provides, but also for many common medications such as blood thinners, reflux medications and pain relievers. The full study is available at https://eorder.sheridan.com/3_0/app/orders/5024/article.php