The field of pharmacogenomics, sometimes referred to as pharmacogenetics, combines the knowledge of our genetic makeup with the knowledge of how medicines work. How well a medication works is, in part, due to our unique genetic makeup. This includes how effective the medicine is, whether we experience negative side effects and how long the medicine continues to work inside our body. Pharmacogenomics is a growing field that attempts to use this information to help doctors select the right medications and doses to help their patients.