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Prince Agyirey-Kwakye

Chief Scientific Officer

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Is Citalopram the Best SSRI for Mood and Anxiety?

Published 14/05/2025

Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) widely prescribed for major depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder. It’s often seen as a well-tolerated first-line option due to its high selectivity for the serotonin transporter and relatively low anticholinergic or noradrenergic activity. But tolerability isn't universal. Some patients struggle with fatigue, nausea, sexual side effects, or poor therapeutic response—despite textbook prescribing.

Is Paroxetine the Right SSRI for Your Patient?

Published 14/05/2025

If your patient is asking, “Will paroxetine help with my depression or anxiety?”, the answer depends on more than just symptoms. With strong serotonergic activity, anticholinergic effects, and powerful CYP2D6 inhibition, paroxetine is one of the most pharmacologically distinct SSRIs—and it’s not right for everyone.

Pravastatin and Pharmacogenomics

Published 06/05/2025

Pravastatin is one of the oldest and most established statins, used for decades to help manage cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. As a hydrophilic statin, it tends to stay in the bloodstream and doesn’t penetrate muscle and brain tissue as deeply as other statins. This property contributes to its lower risk of side effects, especially muscle-related symptoms.

Simvastatin: More Than Just a Cholesterol-Lowering Medication

Published 02/05/2025

Simvastatin is one of the most widely prescribed statins in the UK, commonly used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk. But recent research shows that its benefits—and potential side effects—go far beyond cholesterol control. Understanding how simvastatin works, how it affects the body, and how genetic testing for medication response can influence its effects can empower patients to make more informed decisions about their treatment. This is where pharmacogenomics in the UK is becoming increasingly valuable.

Rosuvastatin and Pharmacogenomics

Published 02/05/2025

With the rise of pharmacogenomics in the UK, it’s now possible to use genetic testing for medication response to understand how your genes influence your reaction to medications like rosuvastatin. This personalised medicine approach doesn’t just improve safety and effectiveness for individuals—it also has the potential to lower NHS costs by reducing trial-and-error prescribing, preventing avoidable side effects, and helping patients stay on treatment.

How DNA-Driven Prescriptions Could Save the NHS over £530M Annually

Published 27/03/2025

Every year, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) account for 6.5% of hospital admissions in the UK, costing the NHS an estimated £530 million annually. These preventable incidents burden an already overstretched healthcare system and impact patients' lives with prolonged recovery times and unnecessary suffering. But, what if there were a way to eliminate this trial-and-error approach to prescribing? Enter pharmacogenomics: the future of personalised medicine.