Mediclinic recognises that you are unique and at the same time, so is your response to medicines. This is due to factors such as age, weight, organ function and variations in your genetic material.
For more information regarding the PGx Test, do not hesitate to reach out to the Mediclinic Precise team on pgx.info@mediclinic.co.za.
The Mediclinic Precise PGx Test is offered to patients via their healthcare provider to ensure that patients receive the most accurate clinical information regarding their treatment regimens in a responsible manner.
What is Pharmacogenetics?
Genes impact the ability of your body to metabolise certain medicines which therefore affects how well the medicine works or acts in your body. If you metabolise a medicine faster than the norm it could mean that the medicine will be less effective for you. Adjusting the dose might increase the effect on your body to what is normally expected. If you metabolise a medicine too slowly, the medicine can accumulate in your body and become toxic or lead to side effects and unintended consequences.
Many medicines are prescribed in a more generic fashion, with some working better than others. Mediclinic offers the a Pharmacogenetic (PGx) DNA test that can help your doctor decide which medicines to prescribe for you as an individual to minimise the ‘trial and error’ period of medicine treatments, as well as reduce or avoid any unnecessary side effects. It can also help eliminate the side effects when you are taking many different medicines.
The aim is to ensure the right medication is delivered at the right time for the best outcome for our patients.
The PGx DNA test can identify the best medication for the following conditions and disease areas:
- Psychiatric conditions (anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD)
- Neurological conditions (epilepsy, tremors, spasms)
- Congestive heart disease
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Heart arrythmias and stroke prevention
- Gastrointestinal diseases (acid reflux, nausea, IBD)
- Urinary incontinence
- Cancer
- Chronic or acute pain
- Infectious disease
- Oral contraceptives and gynaecology
- Immune therapy
You can find a list of medications that are included in the report here.
The results from your Mediclinic Precise PGx test test provides you with information about your inherited genetic variations influencing how more than 200 medications will work in your body.
You will be provided with a list of the relevant gene variants and extra information about e.g., the expected efficacy of a drug, the side effects or advice about dose adjustments and if a medication will be associated with serious adverse events or being less effective for your particular genetic profile.
The result of the testing can be used to guide new prescriptions at any time when relevant medication is needed for serious conditions e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic pain or mental diseases like depression or anxiety. The consulting doctor can use the test result to select the best medicine in the right dose for your diagnosis. Without extra costs, the test result will be updated with new medications when the scientific evidence is more robust regarding the association between gene variants and the effect on the medication’s activity. The recommendations made in your report are based on publicly accessible, expertly curated international guidelines for the active ingredient of the medication. As an example, in your report, you may see the result of your gene-drug relationship and a recommendation on how your doctor should prescribe codeine, which is the active medication/ingredient of Myprodol (brand name). The service is free of any influence from the pharmaceutical industry and the report does not recommend or reference specific brand names.
The Mediclinic Precise PGx test is designed to reduce the risk of adverse side effects or poor drug response by providing high-quality and relevant information to your doctor to help them make informed decisions on your treatment and medication. The report does not constitute medical advice. Please do not change or stop taking your medication without consulting with your doctor.
Mediclinic Precise Pharmacogenetic Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
Will my data be protected?
Your personal information shall be treated as confidential and collected, processed, and stored by Mediclinic and our service providers in a manner that ensures appropriate security thereof, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical and organisational measures, which include:
- identity and access management
- infrastructure and operations security
- vulnerability management
- business continuity planning
- disaster recovery planning
- security awareness
We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected data security breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a suspected breach where we are legally required to do so.
Can the PGx test help reduce the side effects of my medication?
Yes. The results can be used by your doctor to determine which medicine your body can metabolise. By selecting the best medications suited for your genetic profile, you will experience fewer side effects either by reducing the dose or by choosing a different type of medication.
Does the PGx test work if I have several chronic diseases?
Yes. The test is particularly suitable if you are taking several medications. As part of your body’s natural response to taking medications, there are many enzymes working in your body to break down and remove them effectively. You may have a mutation in one or more genes coding for a specific enzyme which reduces or amplifies your body’s ability to remove the medication. Therefore, the chance of experiencing side effects or altered efficacy becomes greater the more medications you are taking.
Can the PGx test be used before I start any medication?
Yes. The results of the test can be used by your doctor as a starting point for identifying the most suitable medicine for your body. At present, though it can only be used for 200 medicines, mainly for the conditions listed above.
Should the test be repeated?
No, your DNA does not change over time. The test is valid throughout your life. As soon as updated data or new evidence becomes available on the existing list of medications, or if new medications are added to this list, your report will be updated with this new information. However, if completely new relevant gene variations are found through international scientific communities, a new test may be needed.
Will the PGx test also tell me if I am predisposed to the development of diseases?
No. The PGx test is a test that only involves determining gene variations that impact the effect of medication on your body, and how your body processes the medication. A different type of test is needed for you to understand your genetic risk for developing certain diseases.
Will I recover faster?
The PGx test minimises the trial-and-error period of selecting a medication that is right for you. - By knowing what medicine will offer you the greatest clinical impact, your pharmacist or doctor can identify the best treatment option quicker. This means you will be able to feel the benefit of the medicine sooner especially medicines that take a long time to show a change in your condition such as antidepressants for example. If required, your doctor will also be able to adjust the dose of the medication specifically to your genetic profile and you may experience fewer negative effects of medications.
Can you and your doctor rely on the analysis?
Yes, your DNA sample is analysed in an accredited laboratory under strict requirements to ensure that quality and accuracy standards are achieved and maintained. The recommendations associated with your gene variations are publicly available and peer-reviewed by experts. These recommendations are also used by the European and American Authorities from where we subsequently get information about particular medications (EMA1 and FDA2). All sources are continuously updated in your report, which means that if the experts include new recommendations, your analysis will automatically be updated without additional cost. See “Information for Doctors” section for more information on treatment guidelines. The bioinformatics system which processes your raw DNA data to give you a PGx report was independently validated by several clinical diagnostic laboratories in US, Canada and EU.
References:
1. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/research-development/scientific-guidelines/multidisciplinary/multidisciplinary-pharmacogenomics
2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/science-and-research-drugs/table-pharmacogenomic-biomarkers-drug-labeling