Carbamazepine & Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide

Alphabetical Test listing

Carbamazepine & Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide-1957

Test name:

Test number:

1957

Excellian order number:

LAB1957

Abbreviation:

EPX

Alternate names:

Carbatrol®
CBZ
Epitol®
Epoxide
Tegretol®

Tests included:

Carbamazepine, total
Carbamazepine-10,11 epoxide

Useful for:

Therapeutic drug management

Specimen type:

Serum

Collection container:

Red serum vial/tube, 5 mL

Volume:

2.0 mL

Minimum volume:

0.5 mL

Collection instructions:

Trough levels are most reproducible

Processing instructions:

Allow sample to clot
Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Transfer serum to a Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox), labelled as serum

Transport container:

Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox)

Alternate specimen type:

Heparin plasma

Alternate collection container:

Dk green heparin (Li or Na), no gel

Alternate collection instructions:

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

Alternate processing instructions:

Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
Transfer plasma to a Serum/plasma transfer vial/tube (MedTox), labelled asthe appropriate plasma type

Transport and stability:

Refrigerated (preferred)

Ambient - 3 days

Frozen (OK)

Reason for rejection:

Gel-barrier tubes are not recommended

Performing lab:

MedTox Laboratories (150): R-MX

Days set up:

Daily

TAT:

2 - 3 days

Method:

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS)

Reference ranges:

Total: 0.4 - 4.0 µg/mL

Free: 0.2 - 2.0 µg/mL

Results that require action (critical):

Total: >10.0 µg/mL

Free: >4.0 µg/mL

CPT codes:

80161 - Carbamazepine epoxide
80156 - Carbamazepine total

Date created:

11/30/2001

Revised date:

01/04/2024

Review date:

01/04/2024