Newcastle Laboratories

Carbamazepine, serum

Clinical Background:

1. Widely used anticonvulsan
2. Used in bipolar affective disorder, mania and depression as a mood stabilizer
3. Effective in trigeminal neuralgia

1. Widely used anticonvulsan
2. Used in bipolar affective disorder, mania and depression as a mood stabilizer
3. Effective in trigeminal neuralgia

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Biochemistry

    Biochemistry

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL blood

    0.5 mL blood

  • Special Requirement:

    Trough sample recommended as this is a better guide to therapy.

    Trough sample recommended as this is a better guide to therapy.

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated sample: 2 days
    Separated sample: 5 days at 15-25°C, 7 days at 2-4°C, 4 weeks at -20°C

    Unseparated sample: 2 days
    Separated sample: 5 days at 15-25°C, 7 days at 2-4°C, 4 weeks at -20°C

  • Interpretation:

    1. CBZ induces its own metabolism
    2. Metabolism is induced by phenobarbitone and phenytoin
    3. Metabolism is inhibited by valproate and lamotrigine
    Toxicity:
    1. Dose limiting side effects include b...

    1. CBZ induces its own metabolism
    2. Metabolism is induced by phenobarbitone and phenytoin
    3. Metabolism is inhibited by valproate and lamotrigine
    Toxicity:
    1. Dose limiting side effects include blurred vision, dizziness and ataxia
    2. Erythematous rash in 5% patients
    3. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis may develop
    Monitoring therapy:
    1. Typical target range is 4 – 12 mg/L
    2. The breakdown epoxide metabolite is pharmacologically active
    3. Trough concentration is a better guide to therapy than dose

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  • Reference Ranges:

    Therapeutic range: 4 - 12 mg/L

    Therapeutic range: 4 - 12 mg/L

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

    Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Duty Biochemist

  • Routine Telephone:

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

    Freeman: 0191 244 8889
    RVI: 0191 282 9719

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at RVI

Turn Around:

Urgent testing is available by arrangement with the laboratory. Please contact the Duty Biochemist to arrange this.

- Routine sample: 4 hours

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

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