| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry (SENDOUTS) | ||||
| Test Name: |
LEVETIRACETAM - (S)
Test Code:
LEVE
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| Clinical Information: |
Test Indications: Levetiracetem is also know as Keppra. Drug levels do not correlate with either therapeutic efficacy or toxicity. Drug monitoring is not routinely recommended since levetiracetam has a linear dose-concentration dependence, is well-absorbed and shows low protein-binding. The test may be of use to document non-compliance, or to guide dosage adjustments in patients with renal failure, pregnancy, puberty or changes with aging. Toxicity may occur for some patients within the normal therapeutic range. Symptoms of toxicity include decrease in hematocrit, decreased RBC, decreased neutrophil count, sleepiness, weakness and dizziness.
Patient Preparation Instructions: Collect trough specimen, prior to next dose |
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| Collection Devices: |
Do not use separator gel.
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| Specimen Required: |
Serum: 1.0 mL
Pediatric Serum: 0.25 mL
Minimum Volume: 1.0 mL Collection Information: Optimum time to collect sample is 0.5 to 1 hour pre-oral dose, trough at steady state (2 weeks after onset of treatment). Special Processing: Process the blood as soon as possible after collection to prepare serum, since hydrolysis of levetiracetam may occur in the prolonged presence of whole blood. Specimen Stability: Ambient: 12 hours Refrigerated: 7 days Frozen: 30 days |
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| Referral: |
Testing Laboratory (MB): HSC – MS5 Special Chemistry / Metabolic Lab
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| Requisition: | |||||
| Reference Values: |
12 - 46 mg/L
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| Availability: |
Within 1 Week
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| See Also: | |||||
| More Information: |