Myths vs facts: Pharmakogenetik Medicheck and Langlebigkeit

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) studies how genetic variants affect drug metabolism, e.g., via CYP450 enzymes. Some variants (CYP2D6, CYP2C19) have clinical utility for dose adjustment. The link to longevity is indirect and weak: while certain variants (like APOE ε4) influence both drug response and age-related disease risk, a standalone PGx test cannot reliably predict lifespan. Longevity is multifactorial – diet, exercise, environment, and stochastic processes matter more than single gene variants. Many commercial providers mix marketing with science, implying precision that is not supported. A 'Pharmacogenetics Medicheck' can be useful when physician-guided and focused on specific medication questions. For longevity, broader assessments (blood biomarkers, microbiome, lifestyle) are more informative. Conclusion: evidence-based PGx has a role in personalized medicine, but extrapolation to longevity is often overstated. Consumer tests should be viewed critically.