HomeGenetic InsightsThe GeneSight® Test & Stevens-Johnson Syndrome The GeneSight® Test & Stevens-Johnson Syndrome May 18, 2020Genetic Insights By identifying the presence of the gene variations in HLA-B*1502 and HLA-A*3101, the GeneSight® Psychotropic pharmacogenomic test can predict if a patient may be at an increased risk of severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), when taking certain mood stabilizers. SJS is a rare, serious disorder of skin and mucous membranes, usually caused by a reaction to a medication. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex plays an important role in immune regulation. HLA-B*1502 can predict an increased risk of severe skin reactions, including SJS, when taking certain mood stabilizers – specifically carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, and phenytoin. HLA-A*3101 can predict severe skin reactions with carbamazepine. Clinicians should use extreme caution when using these medications for patients that test positive for the HLA-B*1502 or HLA-A*3101 alleles. In 2007, the FDA issued a warning about carbamazepine’s involvement in SJS in genetically at-risk patients. The most current warning from 2018 notes that the frequency of the HLA-B*1502 allele is highest in certain Asian populations, with the highest prevalence being reported in Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Genetic testing may be beneficial for these patients. The FDA-approved package insert for carbamazepine recommends testing for HLA-B*1502 in patients of Asian descent prior to starting carbamazepine. However, the label also states that the difficulty in determining ethnic ancestry and the likelihood of mixed ancestry should also be considered. SJS requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include body aches and flu-like symptoms of fever, fatigue, and cough. These signs are typically followed by unexplained widespread skin pain, a red or purple skin rash that spreads, and blisters on your skin and the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose, eyes and genitals. If you experience any signs and symptoms of this condition, seek emergency medical help. If you believe this may be a reaction to a medication, be sure to tell your healthcare provider right away. For more information on the GeneSight test, visit genesight.com, email us at [email protected], or phone 855.891.9415. This document is for educational purposes related to pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine only and should not be considered medical advice. The information is based on scientific opinion from industry experts and is intended to provide additional information to healthcare providers. These materials may be changed, improved, or updated without notice. Myriad Neuroscience is not responsible for any errors or omissions contained in third party content. We encourage you to contact us for specific scientific advice regarding our GeneSight® tests. You may print a copy of this document for your own personal noncommercial use. You may not copy any part of this document for any other purpose, and you may not modify any part of this document without the permission of Myriad Neuroscience. “GeneSight,” “Myriad Neuroscience” and associated logos are registered trademarks of Myriad Neuroscience. © 2020 Myriad Neuroscience. All rights reserved. Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? 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Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more