Medication Check
powered by My Genomic Health
Unlock your body’s personalised medication response for safer, more effective treatment
Tests cost £300. No health insurance needed.
Pharmacogenomics: How your DNA affects your response to medication
Your DNA holds information about how you might respond to certain medications.
A Medication Check DNA test could help you understand which medications are more likely to work for you, and which might not work.
Discover what works for you
People process medications differently, and this can affect how well some of them work for you. Your body may process medicine quickly or slowly, and this can reduce how effective it is, or increase the risk of side effects.
Pharmacogenomic testing looks for variations in genes that could affect your body’s response to over 100 common medications.
How the Medication Check test works
Step 1 - Receive your DNA test kit
Containing a funnel, a sample tube, returns label and instructions.
Step 2 - Provide a sample
Provide a saliva sample and send it back to us.
Step 3 - DNA test
We analyse your DNA and check how medication affects you. This can take up to 4 weeks.
Step 4 - Receive your report
Your report will be sent by email. It includes a summary of our findings, and details of your next steps.
Step 5 - Virtual GP (optional)
Depending on your results, you might want to discuss them with one of our GPs.
Is this test right for you?
Eligibility
To order a Medication Check DNA test for personal use you must be aged 18 years or older and be a UK resident.
You do not need to have Bupa health insurance to order a Medication Check DNA test.
Pricing
The Medication Check DNA test costs £300, this includes your DNA testing kit, postage, and your report.
It also includes a 15 minute virtual GP appointment, if required, once you receive your results.
Exclusions
Unfortunately, a Medication Check DNA test isn't suitable if:
- You’ve had a liver or kidney transplant
- You’ve had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant
- You’ve have received a blood transfusion in the last four weeks.
If you've had a transplant or blood transfusion, the donor's DNA can mix with your own.
This mixture can lead to inaccurate test results because the test might detect the donor's DNA instead of yours.
This confusion can affect the interpretation of how your body responds to certain medications.
Individuals who have had a blood transfusion within the past four weeks should refrain from taking the test.
It’s advisable to wait until all genetic material from the donor has been fully cleared from the recipient, a process estimated to be completed by the fourth week post-transfusion.
What is genomic testing?
Find out more about how genomic testing can help you to live a healthier, happier life
What is genomics?
Genomics can be a powerful tool to detect risk of disease. This can help you manage and take action to improve your health.
What is pharmacogenomics?
Pharmacogenomics looks at how your body responds to certain medication types, and can help you get better treatment.
By understanding your genetic profile, PGx testing can help predict which medications are likely to be effective, which ones might cause side effects, and what dosages are appropriate for you.
PGx testing pinpoints specific genetic variants that influence how your body processes medications. For example, certain genes can indicate whether you metabolise a drug too quickly or too slowly, which can lead to ineffective treatment or increased risk of side effects. Metabolise refers to the process by which your body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.
By understanding your genetic makeup, healthcare providers can select medications that are more likely to be effective and have fewer side effects for you. This personalised approach reduces the trial-and-error process often associated with finding the right medication. It can also help to determine the optimal dosage of a medication for you. For instance, if you have a genetic variant that causes you to metabolise a drug slowly, your doctor might prescribe a lower dose to avoid side effects.
If your test indicates that your current medication isn't suitable, or is less suitable, based on your genetic profile, you can discuss this in your appointment with our GP. They'll be able to help you on next steps which might include your healthcare provider reviewing your PGx report, identifying alternative medication or adjusting the dosage of your current medication.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth or chew gum for 30 minutes before taking the test.
No, carry on taking your current medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Any medications you’re taking will not influence the test results.
Your saliva sample will be destroyed after testing takes place and you receive a report with your personalised results.
Because your genetic makeup doesn't change over time, the results of a pharmacogenomic test remain valid throughout your life.
However, as scientific research advances, the interpretation of these results may evolve, potentially leading to new insights and recommendations. Therefore, you may wish to periodically review the results with your healthcare provider in the future to make sure the results reflect the latest scientific findings and clinical guidelines.
Your data will be stored and processed by Bupa and its data processors in the UK and Europe.
Bupa is committed to ensuring that as a customer your privacy is protected and that you can trust us with your most sensitive personal data. Please see our Privacy Notice for more information about how we collect, use and protect your data.
- Genetic testing could lower the risk of adverse drug reactions for thousands of patients with cancer. Genomics England. genomicsengland.co.uk, published November 2024
Download a full list of the Medication Checks FAQs, including the full list of medications that are tested.
My Genomic Health is supplied by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales with registration number 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
