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HelpTest Code LAB21 Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Useful For
Used in monitoring Carbamazepine drug levels, a drug used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, all forms of partial epilepsy, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and simple/complex partial seizures.
Methodology
Kinetic interaction of microparticles (KIMS)
Performing Laboratory
Bozeman Health Laboratory Services
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type: Plasma or serum
Container/Tube: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel), red top, or gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Spin down within 2 hours of draw and remove plasma or serum from cells.
2. Label specimen as plasma or serum.
Specimen Transport Temperature
Ambient/Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Plasma or Serum | Ambient | 2 days |
| Refrigerated | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 1 month |
Reference Values
Therapeutic concentration: 4.0-12.0 µg/mL
Critical value concentration (automatic call-back): >15.0 µg/mL
Therapeutic carbamazepine concentrations vary significantly depending on the individual patient and on the use of other drugs with carbamazepine.
A therapeutic range of 4.0 to 12.0 µg/mL (16.9-50.8 µmol/L) includes effective serum/plasma concentrations for many patients, however, some individuals are best treated at concentrations outside this range.
A therapeutic range of 8.0 to 12.0 µg/mL (33.9-50.8 µmol/L) for peak drug levels indicates effective plasma or serum levels for many patients who are on carbamazepine alone.
Patients who are taking carbamazepine in conjunction with other anti-epileptic drugs have a recommended therapeutic range of 4.0 to 8.0 µg/mL (16.9-33.9 µmol/L). However, some individuals are best treated at concentrations outside this range.
Concentrations >15.0 µg/mL (63.5 µmol/L) are often associated with toxic symptoms. The physician must determine the most appropriate therapeutic range for each patient.
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Test Classification and CPT Coding
80156