Laboratory: Clinical Biochemistry
Test Name:
IMIPRAMINE - (P)
Test Code: MIS8
Clinical Information:
Test Indications:  Imipramine and its metabolite desipramine are tricyclic antidepressants used to treat endogenous depression requiring 1 to 3 weeks of treatment before therapeutic effectiveness becomes apparent. Desipramine is used for treatment of endogenous depression when the patient needs a drug with significant stimulatory side effects. These drugs have also been employed in the treatment of enuresis (involuntary urination) in childhood and severe obsessive-compulsive neurosis.Toxicity associated with imipramine is characterized by QRS widening leading to ventricular tachycardia and asystole.
Patient Preparation Instructions:  Therapeutic ranges should be determined in specimens drawn at trough immediately before next dose. collect blood within 1 hours prior to next dose or at least 12 hours after last dose.
 
Collection Devices:
Do not use separator gel.
Specimen Required:


Plasma: 2.0 mL

Serum collected without gel is also acceptable.
Referral:
Serum: 2.0 mL
Requisition:
Reference Values:
In-Common Laboratories Reference Values
Availability:
Within 10 Days
See Also:
More Information:
Specimens that are obtained from gel tubes are not acceptable and will be rejected, as the gel absorbs the drugs and will lead to falsely decreased concentrations. Separate plasma or serum as soon as possible and no longer than 2 hours from time of collection and freeze.  Send frozen specimens to In-Common Laboratories (Test ID: IMI,DESI).