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HelpEpic Test Code LAB3757 Carbamazepine-10,11-Epoxide, Serum
Additional Codes
MML Code: CARBG
Useful For
Monitoring patients exhibiting symptoms of carbamazepine toxicity whose total serum carbamazepine concentration is within the therapeutic range, but who may be producing significant levels of the active metabolite epoxide, which can accumulate to concentrations equivalent to carbamazepine
Profile Information
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARTA | Carbamazepine, Tot, S | Yes | Yes |
| 1011E | Carb-10,11-Epoxide, S | No | Yes |
Method Name
CARTA: Homogeneous Microparticle Agglutination Immunoassay
1011E: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Reporting Name
Carbamazepine-10,11-Epoxide, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Required
Collection Container/Tube: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood 12 hours (trough value) after last dose.
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Blood Tube Draw Volume
Min 50% draw volume
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 48 hours |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | Reject |
| Gross lipemia | Reject |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Clinical Information
Carbamazepine is a common antiepileptic drug. It is a first-line drug for treatment of partial seizures and trigeminal neuralgia.
Carbamazepine is metabolized by the liver to carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ10-11) which is pharmacologically active and potentially toxic. CBZ10-11 is, in turn, inactivated by hepatic conversion to a transdiol derivative.
CBZ10-11 may be responsible for the congenital abnormalities that are sometimes associated with the use of carbamazepine during early pregnancy. There have been cases of severe seizures exacerbation when serum epoxide levels were increased. Toxic levels of CBZ10-11 can occur during:
-Concomitant administration of other drugs that induce hepatic oxidizing enzymes (eg, most antiepileptic drugs [with the exception of valproic acid and the benzodiazepines], propoxyphene)
-Concomitant administration of drugs that inhibit its breakdown such as valproic acid, felbamate, and lamotrigine
-High-dose carbamazepine therapy, especially in combination with the above conditions
Reference Values
CARBAMAZEPINE, TOTAL
Therapeutic: 4.0-12.0 mcg/mL
Critical value: ≥15.0 mcg/mL
CARBAMAZEPINE-10,11-EPOXIDE
Therapeutic concentration: 0.4-4.0 mcg/mL
Toxic concentration: ≥8.0 mcg/mL
Interpretation
The clinically acceptable serum concentration of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ10-11) is not well established, but 4.0 mcg/mL has often been used as an upper limit for its therapeutic range.
The ratio of CBZ10-11 to carbamazepine is usually ≤0.2 mcg/mL in symptomatic adults and ≤0.3 mcg/mL in children.
Clinical correlation is aided by comparing values obtained when the patient is symptomatic with those obtained when the patient has improved.
Cautions
Routine determination of carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (CBZ10-11) is not clinically indicated. It should be considered when the source of treatment in associated symptoms is not obvious.
Day(s) Performed
CARTA: Monday through Sunday
1011E: Tuesday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 7 daysSpecimen Retention Time
CARTA: 1 week ; 1011E: 2 weeksPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
CPT Code Information
80156-Carbamazepine, Tot, S
80161-Carbamazepine-10,11-EpoxideÂ
NY State Approved
YesForms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.