Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Carbamazepine
Carbamazepine
Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin
| Test | Carbamazepine |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | CAR, CARB |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Brown clotted serum, gel barrier or lithium heparin |
| Clinical Indication | Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug, used in particular for the treatment of a variety of seizures, partial epilepsy and neuralgia. Effective serum concentrations of carbamazepine are essential for seizure control; however, serum concentrations show only a moderate correlation to dose. Co-administration of other anti-epileptic agents can significantly increase the effect of carbamazepine levels. Carbamazepine toxicity may or may not be dose related, however CNS symptoms such as vertigo, dizziness and diplopia are dose related with chronic therapy. |
| Specimen Type | Blood |
| Sample type | Serum |
| Minimum Volume | 0.5mL If requesting more than 10 tests please send an additional brown clotted serum sample. |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 5 days at 20-25°C and 7 days at 2-8°C |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 6 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York |
| Reference Interval | Pre-dose sample: 4-12 mg/L (Recommended by Pathology Harmonisation Reference Group) |
| Limitations | Samples containing either antibodies to E. coli ?-galactosidase or human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) may result in artificially high results. The incidence of patients having such antibodies is extremely low. |
| Notes |
