Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Message

Performed at SQL for BCGMC, Page, BPMC
Performed at WYMCC for WMC, PCMH, TCH
Performed at BUMCP for BBWMC, BDWMC, BEMC
Perfomed at BDMC for BBMC, BGMC, BIMC, BOMC
Performed at BUMCT for BUMCS
Performed at NCMC for EMCH, SRMC, MMC, OCH

Test Code

CARBAMA

Alias/See Also

Tegretol
SQL test code 2110

CPT Codes
80156

Preferred Specimen

Green Top LiHep, Plasma
WyMCC - SST
SQL - Plain Red Top, Serum

Other Acceptable Specimens

Gold/SST or Red Top

Instructions

For facilities sending to Sonora Quest Laboratories, see link below for specimen details, methodology, setup schedule and reference ranges.

Transport Container

Transport to HUB locations- Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature - 2 days
Refrigerated 7 days
Frozen 4 weeks

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Repeat frozen/thaw cycles
Collected in an outdated/expired tube
Hemolysis
Contaminated

FDA Status
FDA Approved

Setup Schedule

Daily, Sunday through Saturday

Report Available

Less than 4 hours

Clinical Significance

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug, used in particular for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia,1 all forms of partial epilepsy, generalized tonic‑clonic seizures, and simple and complex partial seizures.2,3,4 The specific mechanism of carbamazepine is proposed as a depressant action on transmission through the nucleus ventralis anterior of the thalamus.2,3 Carbamazepine, 5H‑dibenz[b,f]‑azepine‑5‑carboxamide, is an iminostilbene derivative also recognized by its common brand name, Tegretol. In the circulation, carbamazepine is approximately 70 % bound by protein.3,4,5 The drug is metabolized to carbamazepine‑10,11‑epoxide, which is pharmacologically active, and then to carbamazepine‑10,11‑dihydroxide, both of which are excreted in urine. The plasma concentration of the epoxide metabolite ranges from 15 % to 48 % of the parent compound.6 The epoxide has a shorter half‑life (5‑8 hours) than the parent compound (8‑60 hours).2,3,4 The epoxide and the 10,11‑dihydroxide are excreted unaltered or after conjugation to glucuronic acid. In combination with other clinical information, monitoring carbamazepine levels provides physicians with an effective tool to aid in adjusting dosage and achieving optimal therapeutic effect while avoiding both subtherapeutic and toxic drug levels.

Additional Information
Carbamazepine

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.