Test Name

Carbamazepine

Specimen Type & Acceptability

Serum
7 days refrigerated

General Use

Therapeutic drug monitoring of patients taking Carbamazepine.

CPT Code(s)

80156

Special Instructions

Let clot for 10-20 minutes. After the sample is fully clotted, centrifuge the sample. Verify complete separation of cells and serum and refrigerate. Please provide all dosing information, i.e. last dose and time.

Carbamazepine Therapeutic peak level:

Immediate release/Multiple doses/ Suspension: 1.5 hours;
Tablet: 4 to 5 hours
Extended release/Carbatrol/Equetro: 12 to 26 hours (single dose), 4 to 8 hours (multiple doses)
Tegretol-XR: 3 to 12 hours

Container/Tube Type

Volume

0.5 mL Min. vol. = 100 ul

Suggested Tube Types

Description

Typical Volume

Gold Top Serum Separator Tube (SST)

⋜ 5 mL

Tiger Top Serum Separator Tube (SST)
^For larger volume tests

> 5 mL

Red Top Tube (No additive)

⋜ 5 mL

EDTA Whole Blood

3 mL

3.2 % Sodium Citrate Whole Blood

2.7 mL

Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube

⋜ 5 mL