Vorapaxar, commonly known by its trade name Zontivity, is a thrombin receptor antagonist. It is used in the treatment of myocardial infarction (heart attacks). It is a type of antiplatelet medication and as such carries side effects commonly associated with this drug class.
Although it is rare, some cases of intracranial bleeding have been reported along with the other severe reactions such as death.
Pharmacogenetics, the study of how an individual’s genes affect the therapeutic and adverse medications, has been identified as a major contributor to the response exhibited by patients when taking medications. Polymorphisms in genes coding for enzymes and receptors can increase the probability of being a non-responder to the drug or developing adverse effects. Thus, there is variable difference between patients using the medication.
Identifying these polymorphisms is crucial in clinical decision making. A doctor may alter the dose of vorapaxar or discontinue treatment given a patient’s known alleles.
Rxight® pharmacogenetics testing sequences 18 genes (includin cytochrome P450 enzymes such as CYP3A4) to establish how patients are likely to react to hundreds of clinically relevant medications (including antiplatelet agents like Vorapaxar). Contact us today for more information on Rxight® pharmacogenetic testing.