Dr. Wendi D Jones, PharmD

Medication

Why Most Medications Don’t Work As Intended?

Introduction: When pharmaceutical companies are testing new medications, they choose a specific population to increase the odds of the medication working. Clinical trials enroll patients who meet specific criteria. Criteria for who participates in a clinical trial include age, sex, medical history, previous medications tried, the stage of the disease, the type of disease, lab values, and more. If a medication is approved, it is population and indication specific. Approval, then, is based on an

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Medication

The Role Genes Play in How You Metabolize Prescription Medications

Introduction More than 131 million Americans take at least one prescription medication daily, many taking four or more. The greater the number of medications a person takes the greater the risk of having an adverse reaction or event. Unfortunately, adverse reactions to a medication lead to over 1.3 million emergency department visits each year. Adverse drug events are seven times more likely to occur in older adults. Blood thinners to protect from heart attacks or stroke, diabetes medicati

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Medication Comparison

Effexor® vs. Lexapro®: What's the Difference?

Introduction Effexor and Lexapro have both been on the market for a long time and both have been described for patients with symptoms of depression. But each medication has its pros and cons, and each may have different side effects or possible drug interactions. Learn about which antidepressants might be right for you, what questions to ask your doctor about each, and what to expect while you’re on these medications. These medications can be lifesavers, or they can be difficult. Learning as

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Medication Comparison

Effexor® vs. Prozac®: Benefits, Dosage, and More

Introduction Depression is a common mental health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It can impact a person's daily life and relationships, making it crucial to seek treatment. Two of the most commonly prescribed medications for depression are Effexor and Prozac. Both are classified as antidepressants and work by altering the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Despite their similarities, Effexor and Prozac have distinct differences in their benefits, dosage, and potential

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Medication Comparison

Effexor® vs. Wellbutrin®: Benefits, Usage, & More

Introduction Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety affect millions of people worldwide. While therapy and lifestyle changes can be effective treatments, medications like antidepressants can also be helpful for managing symptoms. Two commonly prescribed antidepressants are Effexor and Wellbutrin. Both drugs work differently to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, and they each have their own unique benefits and potential side effects. If you or a loved one are conside

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ADHD

What To Do When Your ADHD Medication is Not Working

Introduction Those who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) often have difficulty focusing, completing boring tasks, and deciding between multiple options. Those options are often difficult for them to assess which is the most important. This is why many who have ADHD frequently procrastinate waiting to the last-minute to complete a task; it just does not seem important enough to do yet. ADHD can lead someone to appear impulsive or inattentive. Hyperactivity is also common. The

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Medication

Genetic Testing for Mental Health Medications

Introduction Mental illnesses and diseases are common. Mental illness has been shown to be one of the largest health concerns in the United States. Over 50% of people are diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime. Each year, one in five people is diagnosed with a psychiatric illness; and as many as one in twenty-five people are living with a serious psychiatric disorder. Stereotypes often prevent patients from obtaining the care they both need and desire. Each year there are over 45,

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Medication Comparison

Effexor® vs. Zoloft®: What are They and What is the Difference?

Effexor and Zoloft are two of many medications that can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of depression. Depression affects greater than 6 percent of adult males and greater than 10 percent of adult females in the United States. This incidence is even greater for people who report having 2 or more races. Genetics and family history are a large part of whether a person experiences a depressive episode. Often patients must suffer through several different trials of medication to find the one

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Medication

Uncovering the Uses of Wellbutrin®: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: Welcome to our comprehensive guide on Wellbutrin®, a commonly prescribed medication for treating various mental health conditions. If you or someone you know has been prescribed Wellbutrin, it is important to understand how the medication works and its potential benefits and risks. Wellbutrin is a brand name for the generic drug bupropion, which belongs to a class of medications called antidepressants. While it is primarily used to treat depression, Wellbutrin is used for other c

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Medication Comparison

Celexa® vs. Lexapro®: How to Choose the Right Antidepressant

The medication selection process can be arduous, especially for those who do not have experience taking psychiatric medication. While it is standard practice to accept the medication you are prescribed by your physician, these days people are becoming more discerning about what they put into their bodies and how medications may interact with their individual composition. Genetic testing for medication provides a valuable tool for helping determine which medication could be right for you. There a

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Medication

Understanding Pharmacogenetic Testing

What does pharmacogenetic testing tell you? Pharmacogenetics allows patients and their providers to predict whether a medication may work well or whether it would be worth pursuing a different medicine. If you are about to begin therapy that requires medication, then knowing your personal pharmacogenetics helps reduce the number of medication choices. This knowledge can help reduce cost, time, and potential side effects; and at the same time increase the likelihood of treatment success. Many p

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Pharmacogenomics

Introduction Pharmacogenomics is not a new concept, but it is becoming more well-known. We already know that each person is unique. Our uniqueness is readily visible in most; our eyes, hair, height, weight, and skin tone all differ. We also know that sometimes you and your parents or siblings have similar health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, yet other families may never have any issues with those conditions. How our bodies respond to medications is also different for each indivi

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Gene Testing for Medications

Introduction Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is the alphabet of our bodies. Genes are the paragraphs written by our DNA to give direction for each enzyme or protein produced. These proteins are then used to form all aspects of the body. The study of how our genes affect our medications is called pharmacogenetics. Pharmacogenetics has led to the discovery of multiple genes that affect over 300 medications so far. These medications may behave differently than expected in patients who have certain va

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Medication Comparison

Strattera® vs. Adderall®

Strattera® vs. Adderall®: What Are They? Strattera and Adderall are medications that are prescribed for the treatment of ADHD or narcolepsy. These medications help to increase certain neurotransmitters in the body allowing for better management of the symptoms of ADHD. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is described in the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria as having multiple specific symptoms that have negatively impacted a person’s academic, social, and or occupational life. These symp

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Genetic Testing for MTHFR

What is the MTHFR gene? The MTHFR gene impacts health in multiple ways, including mental health, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Knowing how your body functions can help you make better choices and live a healthier life. For example, knowing your genetics may help your physician better determine which medications may work best for you. Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase, an enzyme, is encoded by the MTHFR gene. An enzyme is a type of protein that interacts with another molecule in the body

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