Ordering Recommendation

Optimize drug therapy and monitor patient adherence.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Serum Pre-dose (Trough) Draw - At a Steady State Concentration or Plasma Pre-dose (Trough) Draw - At a Steady State Concentration in Plain Red, Lavender (K2EDTA), Lavender (K3EDTA), or Pink (K2EDTA).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Whole blood. Gel Separator Tubes, Light Blue (Sodium Citrate), or Yellow (SPS or ACD Solution).

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 3 months; Refrigerated: 3 months; Frozen: 1 year

Methodology

Quantitative Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Performed

Sat

Reported

1-8 days

Reference Interval

Therapeutic Range Sedation: 1-5 µg/mL
Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Therapy: 25-35 µg/mL
Coma: 10-50 µg/mL
Toxic Level Greater than 10 µg/mL

Interpretive Data

The therapeutic range is based on serum pre-dose (trough) draw at steady-state concentration. Toxic concentrations may cause respiratory depression, hypotension, coma and death.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

80345 (Alt code: G0480)

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
2011554 Pentobarbital, Ser/Pla 3924-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Nembutal
  • pentobarbital blood level
  • Pentobarbitone
Pentobarbital, Serum or Plasma