| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry |
| Test Name: |
CARBAMAZEPINE - (P)
Test Code:
CARB
|
| Clinical Information: |
Alternate Name: Tegretol.
Description: Carbamazepine is a commonly prescribed anti-convulsant used mainly in the treatment of seizure disorders, but is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Carbamazepine has also been useful in the treatment of manic depressive patients as an alternative to lithium therapy. Carbamazepine measurements are used to monitor patient compliance and therapy, and to diagnose potential overdose |
| Collection Devices: |
Do not use separator gel.
|
| Specimen Required: |
Plasma: 2.0 mL
Serum collected without gel is also acceptable. |
| Referral: |
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| Requisition: | |
| Reference Values: |
Therapeutic: 8-12 mg/L
Toxic: >15 mg/L (mg/L = μg/mL)
Carbamazepine level monitoring provides an indicator for individual dosage regimen. Some patients may require levels outside these ranges for effective treatment. The ranges are therefore, provided only as a guide for interpretation along with other clinical symptoms, and are not to be taken as the sole indicator for adjustment of dosage. Peak concentrations above 12 µg/mL (50.8 µmol/L) are often associated with toxicity |
| Availability: |
Stat or Routine
|
| See Also: | |
| More Information: |