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