Amobarbital, Serum
Use
This test is primarily used for monitoring amobarbital therapy. Amobarbital is an intermediate-acting barbiturate with hypnotic properties, used for short-term treatment of insomnia, reducing anxiety, and providing sedation preoperatively. It is administered via intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection with a hypnotic effect lasting around 6 to 8 hours. The drug is distributed throughout the body and primarily metabolized in the liver. The half-life of amobarbital is approximately 15 to 40 hours, and it is excreted mainly in the urine.
Special Instructions
Draw blood immediately before the next scheduled dose. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. Serum gel/SST tubes are not acceptable for this test as they can lead to falsely decreased concentrations of the drug.
Limitations
Amobarbital concentrations above 10 mcg/mL can be toxic. However, the exact concentration at which toxicity occurs may vary based on the clinical context. Serum collected in serum gel tubes is not acceptable due to absorption on the gel, which causes falsely decreased concentrations.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 3338-1
- 3338-1
Result Turnaround Time
3-9 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.6 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Draw blood immediately before the next scheduled dose. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Serum gel/SST tubes are not acceptable.
Causes for Rejection
Specimens collected in serum gel tubes.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |