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HelpTest Code CARBAM Carbamazepine
Useful For
Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug that is used for control of generalized and partial seizures due to the rapid control of excessive cerebral electrical discharges.
The serum level of the drug must be maintained within a narrow tolerance. If serum levels of the drug are too low, seizure control is not maintained, and if serum levels are too high, the risk of toxicity increases.
Synonyms/Keywords
Tegretol, Carbatrol
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Serum/ Plasma | Serum Separator Tube (SST) | Red Top Tube (RTT)Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT) Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST) | 0.5 mL | 0.3 mL |
Collection/Processing Instructions
Serum/plasma must be removed from gel within 24 hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum/Plasma | Ambient | 1 day |
| Refrigerate | 1 week | |
| Frozen | 1 year |
Test Information
Trough level: draw sample just prior to next oral dose. When toxicity is suspected, draw a peak level at least 6 hours after oral dose.
Time to steady state (Adult/child): 3 - 6 days/2 - 4 days.
Allow 1 week minimum for a new steady state when dosing is changed. Time to peak level: 6 hours.
Monitoring of active metabolite (carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide) is of value when other anticonvulsants are given with carbamazepine.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites | Therapeutic Range: 4.0-12.0 ug/mL Carbamazepine only: 8-12 ug/mL Multiple Anticonvulsants: 4-8 ug/mL |
| See Critical Value List for list of current critical values | |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Emit* 2000 Rate Assay/Beckman AU |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80156 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80156 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Carbamazepine Level |