Monitoring Itraconazole therapy.

Itraconazole is used in the treatment of susceptible fungal infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. It has been recommended that routine monitoring occur during the first week of therapy to ensure therapeutic levels are achieved for each individual and to continue monitoring if clinical presentations do not improve or decline.

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

1. Allow sample to clot
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a T ransfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as serum

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Lavender (EDTA), 4mL

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gentle inverting 8 - 10 times to prevent clotting

1. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
2. Transfer plasma to a Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp), labelled as EDTA plasma

Transfer vial/tube with cap - 12mL (LabCorp)

Refrigerated (preferred) - 14 days

Ambient - 14 days

Frozen - 14 days

• Gel barrier (SST) tube.
  • The use of gel-barrier tubes is not recommended due to slow absorption of the drug by the gel. Depending on the specimen volume and storage times, the decrease in drug level due to absorption may be clinically significant.

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)

An interpretive report will be provided