Escitalopram, Serum/Plasma
Use
Quantitative measurement of escitalopram (and/or citalopram, as the test is not chiral-specific) in serum or plasma. Used for therapeutic drug monitoring to assist in evaluation of steady-state levels, adherence, and potential toxicity in patients undergoing escitalopram treatment.
Special Instructions
Prompt centrifugation and separation of serum or plasma into a plastic, screw‑capped vial is required. Serum separator tubes (SST) or PST tubes are not acceptable. Test was developed by NMS Labs and performance characteristics were internally established (Laboratory-developed test).
Limitations
Not FDA‑cleared or approved. Not chiral‑specific—citalopram and/or escitalopram may both be present. Patients recently on racemic citalopram (Celexa®) within the past 3 days may show falsely elevated values.
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Biomarkers
Result Turnaround Time
4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Container
red‑top tube (no gel) for serum; EDTA (lavender‑top) or EDTA (pink‑top) tube for plasma
Collection Instructions
Collect 1 mL serum in a plain red‑top tube (no gel), or 1 mL plasma in an EDTA (lavender‑top) or EDTA (pink‑top) tube. Promptly centrifuge and separate serum or plasma into a plastic, screw‑capped vial.
Causes for Rejection
Serum separator tube (SST) • PST
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 30 days |
| Refrigerated | 30 days |
| Frozen | 7 months |