Carbamazepine test

CARBAMAZEPINE TEST

DESCRIPTION – the test measures the amount of the medicine carbamazepine in your blood. Carbamazepine is the genetic name of a medicine used to treat epilepsy, mania, bipolar disorder and pain. Certain people have serious but rare skin reactions during the first 4 months of taking this medicine

METHODOLOGY – immunoassay

TURN AROUND TIME – within 24 hours

SPECIMEN REQUIERED –

COLLECT – plain red

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – refrigerated

STABILITY – ambient: 24 hours; refrigerated: 7 days; frozen: 1 month

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITION – separator tubes and EDTA plasma

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory