| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Drug Monitoring, Methylphenidate Metabolite, Quantitative, Urine : 39409
Test CodeQMETPH or 39409
Alias/See Also
Prescription Drug Monitoring, Pain Management
CPT Codes
80360
Includes
Ritalinic Acid
Transport Container
Preferred Specimen
20 mL urine in clinical drug test transport vial
Alternative Specimen
Urine collected in urine collection container
Minimum Volume
5 mL
20 mL urine in clinical drug test transport vial
Alternative Specimen
Urine collected in urine collection container
Minimum Volume
5 mL
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 30 days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Preserved samples
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry
Setup Schedule
Varies
Report Available
Varies
Reference Range
Ritalinic Acid <100 ng/mL
Clinical Significance
Methylphenidate is a mild CNS stimulant used to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Ritalin acid is the metabolite of methylphenidate, and its detection is indicative of ingestion of methylphenidate. The test is a definitive assay using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS) methodology. Therapeutic urine drug monitoring of methylphenidate is important for ensuring compliance to treatment strategies. Urine or oral fluid are the specimens of choice for routine monitoring of patients taking prescription drugs. Use of serum/plasma should be limited to anuretic patients, or where a patient's clinical appearance does not coincide with their prescribed medications. No single monitoring approach provides adequate information about the pattern or dose of patient drug use. Safest prescribing habits should include a combination of tools and laboratory test results to correctly detect drug use patterns. Quantitative values cannot be used to assess the drug dose, because the drug is extensively metabolized and excreted in the urine.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics
