Carbamazepine Profile, Serum
Use
This test is useful for monitoring patients who are exhibiting symptoms of carbamazepine toxicity, even when their total serum carbamazepine concentration is within the therapeutic range. It helps in identifying significant levels of the active metabolite, epoxide. Additionally, it is beneficial in patients with altered or unpredictable protein binding capacity to monitor free carbamazepine concentrations.
Special Instructions
Blood should be drawn 12 hours after the last dose to obtain a trough value. Be sure to centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. The test is performed continuously for components CARTA and CARF from Monday through Sunday; component 1011E is performed on Tuesdays.
Limitations
Routine determination of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide is not clinically indicated as standard practice. It should be specifically considered when the source of symptoms is not readily apparent. Specimen must be protected from hemolysis, lipemia, and icterus as they can lead to specimen rejection.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Homogeneous Microparticle Agglutination Immunoassay)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 50337-5
- 9415-1
- 3432-2
- 3433-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-7 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Red top
Collection Instructions
Draw blood 12 hours (trough value) after last dose. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, Gross lipemia, Gross icterus
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |