CNSDose
(Comprehensive+)

Unlike standard pharmacogenetic (PGx) tests that only look at how medications are processed by the liver, CNSDose was developed by Australian psychiatrists to analyse both medication metabolism and how medications reach the brain. This gives your doctor personalised insights into how you may respond to different mental health and neurological medications, helping guide treatment choices that may work better for you.

CNSDose helps your doctor understand how your genetic profile may influence:

• Whether you are likely to need a lower, standard or higher dose of specific mental health medications
• Which medications may carry a higher risk of side effects
• Which medications may be less effective for you

These insights are used alongside clinical assessment and prescribing guidelines to support treatment decisions for depression, anxiety, ADHD, dementia and other neurological conditions.

Less than half of patients respond well to the first antidepressant they are prescribed and many experience unwanted side effects.

CNSDose may help by:

• Reducing trial‑and‑error prescribing
• Shortening the time to symptom relief
• Lowering the risk of side effects
• Helping avoid medications less likely to work for you

The CNSDose report provides doctors with prescribing guidance across 174 medications, including 96 of commonly used in mental health, such as:

• Antidepressants, e.g. sertraline (Zoloft) and escitalopram (Lexapro)  
• Anti-anxiety medications, e.g. fluoxetine (Prozac) and diazepam (Valium)  
• ADHD medications, e.g. methylphenidate (Ritalin) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
• Dementia medication, e.g. donepezil (Aricept)
• Antipsychotics, e.g. olanzapine (Zyprexa) and quetiapine (Seroquel)

In also includes prescribing guidance for an additional 78 commonly used medications across a wide range of medical conditions, including:

• Nausea and vomiting (e.g. ondansetron)
• Inflammation (e.g. celecoxib)
• Cholesterol management (e.g. atorvastatin)
• Pain management (e.g. codeine)
• Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin)
• Reflux and stomach acid control (e.g. omeprazole)
• Certain cancer treatments (e.g. tamoxifen)

As a once‑in‑a‑lifetime test, CNSDose results remain relevant long-term and can be shared with any doctor or specialist before starting a new or ongoing medication. This makes the report a valuable tool for future treatment decisions, including for conditions that may develop later in life.

Medications List

Case 1: Medication Sensitivity and Side Effects

A 22-year-old female university student had been living with depression and anxiety since high school. She had experienced many side effects from antidepressant medications, even at lower doses. She reported that her previous doctor told her she was too anxious and a hypochondriac.

After learning about pharmacogenetic testing online, she asked her new GP whether testing might help guide her treatment.

CNSDose testing showed that her body processed antidepressant medications more slowly than usual and that higher amounts of medication were reaching her brain than expected. This meant she was at increased risk of inadvertent overdose, even with small doses of antidepressants.

Based on these results, she was started on a very low dose of sertraline (12.5 mg, one quarter of the smallest-strength tablet). Her dose was not increased. She experienced no side effects and noticed an improvement in mood after one month. Her ability to study improved as did her academic performance.

Case 2: Partial Response to Antidepressant Treatment

A 43-year-old male accountant had experienced recurrent depression, which had partially responded to 20 mg escitalopram. He was otherwise medically well and was not taking any other medications. His general practitioner was cautious about increasing the dose of escitalopram. Due to a long wait to see a psychiatrist (over six months), the psychiatrist recommended ordering a CNSDose test to help guide treatment in the meantime.

The CNSDose test showed that the patient’s body processed antidepressant medication very quickly and that less medication than expected was reaching his brain. This meant that a change in medication or a higher-than-usual dose of escitalopram may be required for the treatment to be effective. The patient preferred to remain on the same medication and was willing to trial an increased dose of 30 mg escitalopram.

After three weeks on the higher dose, his remaining depressive symptoms, including poor motivation and feeling disengaged from life, fully resolved. As his symptoms had improved, the planned psychiatrist appointment was no longer required.