The Genetic Medicines Test is a convenient at-home pharmacogenetic test that looks for gene variations affecting how your body processes certain medications. This is the first private service of its kind that is available in both the United Kingdom and United States.

The test analyses genes that process over 30% of all commonly prescribed medications, including many antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Once you receive your results, a licensed pharmacogenetics clinician will review them with you in a live video consultation. Your results can then help your doctor determine whether you metabolise a medication quickly, slowly, or at a typical rate.

If you are found to be a fast or slow metaboliser, your doctor may adjust your dosage, switch your medication, or take other steps to improve effectiveness or reduce side effects.

Your genetic results are lifelong, so once you have been tested, you have this information for every future prescribing decision.

In psychiatry, choosing the right antidepressant or antipsychotic often involves a period of trial and error. These medications can have limited effectiveness for some patients and may cause unwanted side effects, meaning a treatment may not work as well as it should.

The Genetic Medicines Test helps your doctor personalise your treatment by adjusting the medication or dose based on your genetic makeup, improving safety, effectiveness, and treatment outcomes.

NowPatient currently offers two gene panel tests to help you understand how your body may respond to certain medications. Our laboratory screens for genetic variations with a validated sensitivity of over 99%.

The two gene panels we test are CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. These enzymes play a key role in processing more than 30% of commonly prescribed medications.

CYP2C19 is an enzyme involved in breaking down 5 to 10% of commonly prescribed medications. It is controlled by the CYP2C19 gene, and variations in this gene can affect how well the enzyme works.

Around 3 to 6% of people of European and African ancestry, and 13 to 23% of Asian populations, have a slower-acting form of the enzyme, making them poor metabolisers.

Your rate of drug metabolism is important because it influences how your body processes medication. Fast metabolisers break down drugs too quickly, which can reduce effectiveness, while slow metabolisers process drugs too slowly, increasing the risk of side effects or toxicity.

By testing for CYP2C19 gene variants, we can determine whether you are a fast, normal, or slow metaboliser. This information helps your doctor decide whether the standard dose of a medication is appropriate, or whether it needs to be adjusted or replaced. This is a personalized approach to prescribing, ensuring that the right medication and dosage are selected based on your unique genetic profile.

CYP2D6 is an enzyme that helps break down many commonly prescribed medications. Variations in the CYP2D6 gene can affect how well the enzyme works, leading to differences in drug metabolism.

Some people may metabolise drugs too quickly, reducing effectiveness, while others may break them down slowly, increasing the risk of side effects or toxicity at standard doses.

By testing for CYP2D6 gene variants, we can identify whether you are a fast, normal, or slow metaboliser. This insight helps your doctor determine if the usual dosage is appropriate for you, or whether it needs to be adjusted or changed. This is a personalized approach to prescribing, ensuring that the right medication and dosage are selected based on your unique genetic profile.

The Genetic Medicines Test Service Card can be found in the ‘Private Care’ section of your account homepage. From the Options Menu on the card, select ‘Check Eligibility’.

You can check whether your medication is influenced by your genes in one of two ways:

If you qualify, you can select ‘View Test’ to learn more, or ‘Add to Cart’ to proceed directly.

Complete your purchase by following the checkout steps:

Once your order is confirmed, the journey from kit delivery to results follows these steps:

We do not recommend returning samples between Friday noon and Monday morning due to potential postal delays over the weekend. Posting your sample during this window may affect processing times.

A prepaid return packaging system is included with every kit. Place your collected sample inside and send it from any Royal Mail post box (UK customers) or USPS collection point (US customers). All samples are fully tracked.

Results can take up to 10 working days to process from the day the laboratory receives your sample. Once your results are ready, you will receive a notification prompting you to book your clinician consultation.

Your live video consultation with a licensed specialist genetics clinician is specifically structured around your Genetic Medicines Test results:

NowPatient follows strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which came into force in May 2018, placing legal requirements on us to manage your personal data securely and with the utmost confidentiality.

Records are maintained of all processing carried out, and any regulatory breaches are reported as required. Our platform is also HIPAA-compliant, meaning Protected Health Information (PHI) for US customers is handled securely.

Yes. NowPatient has specific safeguards and protocols in place. Our video technology platform is certified to the highest industry standards of data security and clinical governance.

Yes. If your medication is sensitive to both CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, we recommend you have both panels tested.

For example, both CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 are clinically relevant genes that can influence how your body metabolises antidepressants. If you only had one gene panel tested, this would not give you conclusive information about how your body processes the medication you take, because the other panel’s influence would remain unknown.

If there is a change in your DNA that causes the gene to produce fewer proteins, your body could break some medications down more slowly. This can lead to the medication building up in your system, increasing the chance of side effects.

If your body is producing too many of the relevant proteins, you might process medications too quickly to benefit from them. Identifying this means your doctor can adjust the dose or switch to a more suitable option.

Some genes, like CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, can provide information on multiple drug classes. For instance, these genes can be relevant not only to antidepressant medications but also to opioid pain medications, antipsychotics, proton pump inhibitors, and nerve pain medications.

Our testing is based on evidence from the CPIC (Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium) at https://cpicpgx.org/. The medications available for testing through the service have a PharmGKB (https://www.pharmgkb.org/) Clinical Annotation Level of evidence of 1A, 1B, 2A, or 2B, and a CPIC level status of ‘final’.

CPIC level A and level B gene/drug pairs have sufficient evidence for at least one prescribing action to be recommended. Only those gene/drug pairs that have been the subject of sufficient in-depth review of evidence are given the CPIC assignment level of ‘final’.

The Genetic Medicines Test is a powerful tool for personalising your care, but it is important to understand its limitations:

The Genetic Medicines Test is designed to identify specific gene–drug interactions, primarily involving the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 enzymes. These enzymes play a key role in processing a wide range of medications, especially antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other frequently prescribed drugs. However, many medications are broken down through other biological pathways. As a result, not all medications you use will be covered by this test. You can check whether your medication could be influenced by the gene test using our eligibility checker.

It is possible that the results of the testing will not help you and your doctor in managing your care. Even if the results narrow down the medication choices, this does not guarantee that those medicines will work for you. There may still be some trial and error involved in finding the most effective treatment.

Genetics is one of many factors taken into consideration when selecting a medication. Depending on the medication, drug–drug interactions, kidney and liver function, age, weight, and diet can all also play a role.

Genetic Medicines testing does not evaluate the entire gene. We look for changes that are known to affect how you respond to a drug. You may have a change in your genes that we are not looking for. If that happens, you could have a normal test result and still have differences in how you respond to medications. As more research is completed, different tests may become available in the future.

The Genetic Medicines Test gives us results for many genes. Our clinicians will only make recommendations for genes that have sufficient research to support medication selection guidance. Genes that we do not currently discuss may become clinically important in the future as more evidence emerges.

For UK users, our German laboratory complies with the fundamental guidelines for quality assurance in clinical laboratory testing set out by the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer). The laboratory meets all requirements of DIN EN ISO 15189:2014, established within an integrated quality management system based on certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and the requirements of the Rili-BAK (2019). All consumables used for sample collection are procured in the UK and certified with conformance standards bodies.

For US users, our American laboratory is CLIA-certified and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Both the UK and US services utilise Clinical Decision Support (CDS) software based on the evidence base of the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC).

The Genetic Medicines Test is currently a private, paid-for service. In the UK, NHS funding may become available in the future.

In the US, coverage through your health insurance plan may be possible, however, this depends on your specific plan. Please check with your insurer.

If you have concerns about the risks of genetic testing with respect to insurance coverage, we refer you to the UK Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-on-genetic-testing-and-insurance. This code bars employers and health insurers from discrimination based on genetic testing results.

This test does not look at disease risk or other health factors. Genetic Medicines testing only looks at genes and their relation to how you respond to certain medications. It is not a diagnostic test for any medical condition.

Everything you need to know about the NowPatient Genetic Medicines Test — how pharmacogenetic testing works, which genes are tested, what your results mean, how to book your clinician consultation, and the limitations you should be aware of.

The Genetic Medicines Test is a convenient at-home pharmacogenetic test that looks for gene variations affecting how your body processes certain medications. Once you receive your results, a licensed pharmacogenetics clinician will review them with you in a live video consultation. Your results can then help your doctor determine whether you metabolise a medication quickly, slowly, or at a typical rate — and whether your dosage or medication needs to be adjusted.

In areas such as psychiatry, choosing the right antidepressant or antipsychotic often involves a period of trial and error. These medications can have limited effectiveness for some patients and may cause unwanted side effects, meaning a treatment may not work as well as it should. The Genetic Medicines Test helps your doctor personalise your treatment by adjusting the medication or dose based on your genetic makeup, improving both safety, effectiveness, and treatment outcomes.

Yes. This is the first private service of its kind in the UK and is also available to users in the United States. UK and US users access separate, accredited laboratory services, each meeting the relevant national standards.

The Genetic Medicines Test is currently a private, paid-for service. In the UK, NHS funding may become available in the future. In the US, coverage through your health insurance plan may be possible; however, this depends on your specific plan. Please check with your insurer.

Yes. Your genetic results are lifelong. You will not need to retest your genetics for the same panel unless new genes are researched and added to the available tests. As testing evolves, you may be asked or wish to perform further Genetic Medicines Tests in the future. The laboratory reference sheet at the end of your report will be your best resource for determining whether additional testing could provide further benefits.

The test analyses genes that process over 30% of all commonly prescribed medications, including many antidepressants and antipsychotics. Because some genes such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 are relevant to multiple drug classes, your results may also provide useful information about opioid pain medications, antipsychotics, proton pump inhibitors, and nerve pain medications — beyond the medication for which you were initially tested.

NowPatient currently offers two gene panel tests. Our laboratory screens for genetic variations with a validated sensitivity of over 99%. The two gene panels we test are:

These enzymes play a key role in processing more than 30% of commonly prescribed medications, including many antidepressants and antipsychotics.

CYP2C19 is an enzyme involved in breaking down 5–10% of commonly prescribed medications. It is controlled by the CYP2C19 gene, and variations in this gene can affect how well the enzyme works. Around 3–6% of people of European and African ancestry, and 13–23% of Asian populations, have a slower-acting form of the enzyme, making them poor metabolisers. Testing for CYP2C19 gene variants tells your doctor whether the standard dose of a medication is appropriate for you, or whether it needs to be adjusted or replaced.

CYP2D6 is an important enzyme responsible for metabolising about 25% of all prescription medications. This enzyme is regulated by the CYP2D6 gene, and genetic differences can significantly affect how well it functions. Testing for CYP2D6 gene variants tells your doctor whether the usual dosage is appropriate for you, or whether it needs to be adjusted or changed.

Your rate of drug metabolism influences how your body processes medication. There are five metaboliser statuses: poor, intermediate, normal, rapid, and ultra-rapid.

By identifying your metaboliser status, your doctor can decide whether the standard dose of a medication is appropriate, or whether it needs to be adjusted or switched to a more suitable option.

Yes. If your medication is sensitive to both CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, NowPatient recommends you have both panels tested. Both genes can influence how your body metabolises antidepressants, for example. Testing only one gene panel would not give you conclusive information about how your body processes your medication, because the other panel's influence would remain unknown.

Our laboratory screens for genetic variations with a validated sensitivity of over 99%.

The Genetic Medicines Test Service Card is located in the ‘Private Care’ section of your account homepage. From the Options Menu on the card, select ‘Check Eligibility’. You can then check whether your medication is influenced by your genes in one of two ways:

If you qualify, you can select ‘View Test’ to learn more, or ‘Add to Cart’ to proceed directly.

Once you have confirmed eligibility, complete your purchase by following these checkout steps:

Once your order is confirmed, the journey from kit delivery to results follows these steps:

A prepaid return packaging system is included with every kit. Place your collected sample inside and send it from any Royal Mail post box (UK customers) or USPS collection point (US customers). All samples are fully tracked.

Results can take up to 10 working days to process from the day the laboratory receives your sample. Once your results are ready, you will receive a notification prompting you to book your clinician consultation.

Once you receive notification that your results are ready, follow these seven steps to book your live video consultation:

Your live video consultation with a licensed specialist genetics clinician is structured around five stages:

After your consultation, your results and any referral letter issued will be available in the ‘Reports & Letters’ section of your account homepage. You can view, download, and share them with any healthcare provider. Before your consultation, your results will appear in the Documents Folder but remain locked.

Yes. NowPatient follows strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which came into force in May 2018, placing legal requirements on us to manage your personal data securely and with the utmost confidentiality. Records are maintained of all processing carried out, and any regulatory breaches are reported as required. Our platform is also HIPAA-compliant, meaning Protected Health Information (PHI) for US customers is handled securely.

NowPatient’s testing is based on evidence from the CPIC (Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium) at https://cpicpgx.org/.

The medications available for testing have a PharmGKB (https://www.pharmgkb.org/) Clinical Annotation Level of evidence of 1A, 1B, 2A, or 2B, and a CPIC level status of ‘final’. CPIC level A and level B gene/drug pairs have sufficient evidence for at least one prescribing action to be recommended. Only those gene/drug pairs that have been the subject of sufficient in-depth review of evidence are given the CPIC assignment level of ‘final’.

Yes. For UK users, our German laboratory complies with the fundamental guidelines for quality assurance in clinical laboratory testing set out by the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer). The laboratory meets all requirements of DIN EN ISO 15189:2014, established within an integrated quality management system based on certification according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and the requirements of the Rili-BAK (2019). All consumables used for sample collection are procured in the UK and certified with conformance standards bodies.

Yes. For US users, our American laboratory is CLIA-certified and registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Both the UK and US services utilise Clinical Decision Support (CDS) software based on the evidence base of the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC).

The Genetic Medicines Test is a powerful tool for personalising your care, but it is important to understand its limitations:

If you have concerns about the risks of genetic testing with respect to insurance coverage, NowPatient refers you to the UK Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-on-genetic-testing-and-insurance. This code bars employers and health insurers from discrimination based on genetic testing results.

No. This test does not look at disease risk or other health factors. Genetic Medicines testing only looks at genes and their relation to how you respond to certain medications. It is not a diagnostic test for any medical condition.