Epic Test Code LAB3761 Chlordiazepoxide and Metabolite, Serum
Additional Codes
MML Code: CDP
Test Down Notes
Effective December 14, 2023: This test is temporarily unavailable due to analytic issues. The downtime is expected to be >30 days. Order ZW86, (1080SP) as an alternate. See test notification here.
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in RochesterReporting Name
Chlordiazepoxide and metabolite, SMethod Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Frozen | 14 days | LIGHT PROTECTED | |
Ambient | 24 hours | LIGHT PROTECTED |
Shipping Instructions
Ship specimen in amber vial to protect from light.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Amber Frosted Tube, 5 mL (T915)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Amber vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into amber vial within 2 hours of collection.
Blood Tube Draw Volume
Min 50% draw volume
Specimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Reference Values
Therapeutic concentration:
Chlordiazepoxide: 400-3,000 ng/mL
Nordiazepam: 100-500 ng/mL
Report Available
2 to 7 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday, Wednesday
CPT Code Information
80299
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Useful For
Monitoring chlordiazepoxide therapy
Assessing toxicity
Clinical Information
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is a benzodiazepine widely used in the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and as a premedication for anesthesia. The mechanism of action of all benzodiazepines remains unclear. However, it is known that benzodiazepines facilitate gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission in the brain. Benzodiazepines most likely facilitate the inhibitory presynaptic or postsynaptic reactions of GABA.
Chlordiazepoxide is metabolized to long-acting metabolites in the liver to the active metabolite nordiazepam (desmethyldiazepam), and the clearance of the drug is reduced considerably in the elderly and in patients with hepatic disease.
Therapeutic assessment should include measurement of both the parent drug (chlordiazepoxide) and the active metabolite (nordiazepam).
Since chlordiazepoxide has a wide therapeutic index and toxicity is dose-dependent, routine drug monitoring is not indicated in all patients
Interpretation
Chlordiazepoxide and nordiazepoxide combined concentrations above 5000 ng/mL have been associated with toxicity.
Cautions
The specimen must be protected from light.
Specimen Retention Time
14 daysForms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-Neurology Specialty Testing Client Test Request (T732)
-Therapeutics Test Request (T831)