Carbamazepine, plasma or serum

Alternate test name

Tegretol

Lab area

Clinical Biochemistry - TDM & Toxicology

Method and equipment

Equipment : Roche Cobas Pro c503

Method : The ONLINE TDM Carbamazepine Gen.4 assay is a homogeneous microparticle agglutination immunoassay. It is a two-reagent system used for the detection of carbamazepine in serum. Kinetic interaction of microparticles (KIMS) will be measured using automated analyzers. In this technology biotinylated drug hapten attached to streptavidin coated latex beads serves as the binding partner to anti-carbamazepine antibody. A competitive reaction to a limited amount of specific anti-carbamazepine antibody takes place between the latex bound hapten and free carbamazepine in the serum sample. A decrease in the apparent signal is proportional to the amount of drug present in the sample.

Expected turn-around time

STAT/ Urgent/ Routine: 2 hours

Specimen type

Serum

Plasma (Heparin)

Specimen requirements

150 uL

Storage and transportation

Shipping information

The Hospital for Sick Children

Rapid Response Laboratory

555 University Avenue, Room 3642

Toronto, ON

Canada

M5G 1X8

Phone: 416-813-7200

Toll Free: 1-855-381-3212

Hours: 7 days/week, 24 hours/day

Requisition

Carbamazepine, plasma or serum - requisition

Background and clinical significance

Carbamazepine is an iminostilbine derivative and is structurally related to the tricyclic antidepressants. Serum (plasma) concentrations between 17 to 50 umol/L have been associated with optimal seizure control in adults. Toxicity associated with carbamazepine therapy is generally minor. The most serious problem is with carbamazepine's ability to suppress bone marrow function. This serious toxic effect, potentially leading to aplastic anemia, is rare. More frequently encountered side effects such as mild drowsiness, vision disturbances, nausea and headache are dose-related and not generally life threatening. Carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide is the major active metabolite of carbamazepine.

Disease condition

Anticonvulsant