Imipramine and Desipramine, Serum
Use
This test is useful for monitoring imipramine and desipramine concentrations during therapy, evaluating potential imipramine and desipramine toxicity, and may aid in evaluating patient compliance. Imipramine and its metabolite desipramine are tricyclic antidepressants used to treat endogenous depression, which requires 1 to 3 weeks of treatment before therapeutic effectiveness becomes apparent. The therapeutic concentration for desipramine alone is 100 to 300 ng/mL, while combined levels of imipramine and desipramine for therapeutic effect range from 175 to 300 ng/mL. Cardiac toxicity is usually associated with blood concentrations more than 400 ng/mL.
Special Instructions
Specimens collected from gel tubes are not acceptable because the drug can absorb on the gel and lead to falsely decreased concentrations. Serum must be separated from cells within 2 hours of collection to prevent falsely elevated drug levels.
Limitations
This test cannot be performed on whole blood. If serum is not removed from cells within 2 hours of collection, tricyclic antidepressant levels may be falsely elevated due to the release of the drug from red blood cells.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 43123-9
- 3690-5
- 3531-1
- 9627-1
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Collect specimen immediately before the next scheduled dose (minimum 12 hours after last dose). Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Serum must be separated from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis, Gross lipemia, Gross icterus
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |