A pharmacogenomic test reads genes such as CYP2D6, CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 that control how fast the body breaks down many medicines. The myDNA report groups common medicines, including antidepressants, statins, proton pump inhibitors, warfarin and some pain relief, by how much a client’s genes may change their effect. Results are for the client’s prescribers, and practitioners must not advise changing medicines. Verified practitioners can order myDNA tests through Vively.
| Test type | DNA from a cheek swab |
|---|---|
| Nutripath code | 8013, 8009 |
| Sample and collection | Cheek swab collected at home and posted to Nutripath |
| Preparation | No food, drink, gum or brushing teeth for 1 hour before the swab. No fasting needed. |
| Turnaround | 10 business days for myDNA Pharmacogenomics and 21 to 24 business days for the Comprehensive Health Report (Nutripath estimates). Allow extra days for postage. |
| Available through | Nutripath test ordered through Vively. You need to be a verified practitioner to refer it. |
| Pricing | Pricing in your practitioner account |
| Results | PDF report from Nutripath, filed in your client’s record and app beside their blood results |
Only practitioners can order this test. Ask your naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian whether they use Vively.
What does the myDNA pharmacogenomic test measure?
Most medicines are broken down by liver enzymes, and common gene variants make some people fast, slow or very slow at it. The report turns those variants into prescribing notes for each medicine it covers.
CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, which break down medicines, plus SLCO1B1 (statin uptake), VKORC1 (warfarin sensitivity) and OPRM1 (opioid response).
Each medicine is placed in one of three categories according to the client’s genotype, so a prescriber can see at a glance where a dose change or another medicine might be worth considering.
Includes antidepressants, antipsychotics, ADHD medicines, statins, proton pump inhibitors, warfarin and some pain relief. It does not cover every medicine.
92 genes across digestion, energy, hormones, stress and cognition, inflammation, exercise, DNA repair and detoxification, with a shopping list and suggested blood tests. It is a wellness report, not a medication report.
| Nutripath test | Code | Sample | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| myDNA Pharmacogenomics | 8013 | Cheek swab | 10 business days |
| myDNA Comprehensive Health Report | 8009 | DNA kit | 21 to 24 business days |
How do you order a myDNA pharmacogenomic test through Vively?
- Get verified. You need to be a verified practitioner to refer tests. Practitioners with a recognised qualification or membership (ATMS, NHAA, ANTA, Dietitians Australia, NSA, CMA or Ahpra registration) can request free practitioner access.
- Build the order. Log in to the practitioner platform, choose the Nutripath test and add any blood tests or the $99 Baseline Health Check to the same order. Pricing shows in your account, and either your client or your practice can pay.
- Client collects at home. Nutripath sends your client the collection kit once the order is placed. Your client follows the kit instructions (a cheek swab with the myDNA kit, collected at home) and posts the sample back to Nutripath in the packaging provided.
- Review the report. Nutripath’s PDF report is filed in your client’s record and app, next to their blood results, ready for the follow-up consult.
See every Nutripath test you can order on the Nutripath tests page.
Order a myDNA pharmacogenomic test with your client’s blood tests
Free access for verified naturopaths, nutritionists and dietitians. Order Nutripath tests and blood pathology in one place, and see every result in your client’s record.
What can a pharmacogenomic test tell you, and what can it not?
Pharmacogenomics has stronger evidence behind it than most consumer genetics. Its limit is that genes are only one of many things that decide how a medicine works.
The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) publish gene and drug guidelines that reports like myDNA draw on.
In a UK Biobank analysis of about 487,000 people, 99.5% carried a variant in at least one of 14 genes with CPIC guidelines that could change their response to a medicine. Only about 24% had been prescribed a medicine affected by their result (McInnes et al., 2021).
Dose, age, kidney and liver function, other medicines and adherence all change drug response. A usual result does not guarantee a medicine will work or suit the client.
Australian GPs are encouraged to use pharmacogenomic results alongside clinical judgement (Polasek et al., 2019). Any change to a medicine is a decision for the prescriber.
How does pharmacogenomic testing fit with blood work?
Blood tests show how a client is handling their medicines right now. Share both with the prescriber.
- ContextStatin listed under major or minor considerations
SLCO1B1 and CYP2C9 variants are linked to statin muscle symptoms. Liver and lipid results help the GP review the statin.
- ContextLong term proton pump inhibitor use
CYP2C19 changes how PPIs are cleared. Long term PPI use can lower B12 and magnesium, so check both.
- ReferWarfarin with VKORC1 or CYP2C9 variants
Warfarin dosing is managed by the GP with regular INR blood tests. Send the report to the GP and do not change supplements that affect warfarin without them.
- ContextSeveral medicines with major considerations
Kidney and liver function also change drug clearance. Give the prescriber the full picture.
What can affect how a client responds to a medicine?
- Other medicines that block or speed up the same enzymes, such as some antidepressants
- Kidney and liver function
- Smoking, which speeds up CYP1A2
- Grapefruit, St John’s wort and other herbal medicines
- Age, body size and whether the medicine is taken as prescribed
When should you refer the client to their GP?
- Any medicine listed under major prescribing considerations, for the prescriber to review
- A client who wants to stop, start or change a medicine because of the report
- Side effects or a medicine that doesn’t seem to work
- Low mood, anxiety or other symptoms that are severe or getting worse
- Any client on warfarin, antidepressants or antipsychotics before adding new supplements
How should a client prepare for a myDNA cheek swab?
Copy or print this to send to your client. Follow the instructions in the Nutripath kit if they differ.
Preparing for your myDNA test
- You don’t need to fast. Don’t eat, drink, chew gum or brush your teeth for 1 hour before the swab.
- Rub the swab firmly on the inside of your cheek as the kit shows, then seal it in the tube.
- Keep taking all your medicines as prescribed. Don’t stop or change any medicine because of this test or its results.
- Post the sample back in the packaging provided, early in the week.
- Your practitioner will receive the report. Share it with your GP, specialist and pharmacist, who are the right people to act on it.
- Your genes don’t change, so you only need this test once.
What does the myDNA pharmacogenomics report look like?
Nutripath publishes sample reports on its website. They open in a new tab.
How do practitioners use pharmacogenomic testing with clients?
It suits clients who take several medicines, have had side effects or poor responses, or are about to start a medicine such as an antidepressant. Your role is to order the test, explain what it is for and make sure the report reaches the client’s prescribers. Do not advise changing, stopping or adjusting a medicine. Use the report to flag interactions with herbal medicines you might suggest, such as St John’s wort. The Comprehensive Health Report is a separate wellness report for diet and lifestyle planning.
Pharmacogenomic testing (myDNA) FAQs
Can a naturopath, nutritionist or dietitian order a myDNA test through Vively?
Yes. You need to be a verified practitioner to refer it. Add myDNA Pharmacogenomics or the Comprehensive Health Report to an order in the Vively practitioner platform. Pricing shows in your account. No account yet? Request free access.
Which genes does myDNA pharmacogenomics test?
CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, SLCO1B1, VKORC1 and OPRM1. Together they affect how many common medicines are broken down or work.
Can a practitioner change a client’s medicine based on the result?
No. The report is for the client’s prescribers. Practitioners should pass it to the GP, specialist or pharmacist and not advise any change to medicines.
What does the Comprehensive Health Report add?
It covers 92 genes linked to diet, energy, hormones, stress, inflammation, exercise and detoxification, with a shopping list and suggested blood tests. It is for lifestyle planning, and medication decisions should use the pharmacogenomics report.
How long do myDNA results take?
Nutripath estimates 10 business days for the Pharmacogenomics report and 21 to 24 business days for the Comprehensive Health Report. Allow extra time for postage.
References
- Relling MV, Klein TE. CPIC: Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium of the Pharmacogenomics Research Network. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2011.
- Swen JJ, Nijenhuis M, de Boer A, et al. Pharmacogenetics: from bench to byte, an update of guidelines. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2011.
- Polasek TM, Mina K, Suthers G. Pharmacogenomics in general practice: the time has come. Australian Journal of General Practice. 2019.
- McInnes G, Lavertu A, Sangkuhl K, Klein TE, Whirl-Carrillo M, Altman RB. Pharmacogenetics at scale: an analysis of the UK Biobank. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2021;109(6):1528-1537.
- Nutripath. myDNA Pharmacogenomics (test code 8013) and myDNA Comprehensive Health Report (test code 8009). nutripath.com.au, checked 1 October 2026.