Synonyms |
|
Tegretol |
Clinical
Indications |
|
Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an anti-epileptic drug, used for
tonic-clonic seizures. Monitoring
may assist dose changes.
Concomitant therapy may affect levels by inducing liver
metabolism.
|
Request Form |
|
Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
On
request
|
Specific
Criteria |
|
Patients
on carbamazepine therapy
|
Patient
Preparation |
|
Time of collection is not critical but due to the
relatively short half-life CBZ levels can vary quite markedly
across the dosage interval; collection at a similar time,
usually before next dose, may help long-term monitoring
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
Same
day (Monday to Friday)
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
Volume |
|
1 ml
|
Container |
|
Yellow
Top (SST) tube
|
Lab. Handling |
|
Samples
should be analysed same day if left on gel.
|
Causes for
Rejection |
|
Not meeting specific criteria for
analysis.
|
Target
Range |
|
4
- 12 mg/L |
|
Toxicity |
|
Dizziness
and visual disturbances are increasingly frequent at CBZ
levels above 10 mg/L. A generalized erythematous rash may
occur in 3-5% of patients. Long-term effects are few but water
retention and hyponatraemia may occur as a late complication
|
|
Unit
Conversion |
|
To convert from umol/L to mg/L
multiply by 0.236 |
|
Overdose |
|
An information
sheet is available from the National Poisons Service. |