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Epic Test Code LAB468 Diazepam and Nordiazepam, Serum

Additional Codes

MML Code: DIA

 

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 (1501SP) as an alternate.  See test notification here.

NY State Approved

Yes

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Reporting Name

Diazepam and Nordiazepam, S

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Red Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Ambient  14 days
  Frozen  14 days


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube: Red top (Serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.


Bassett Healthcare Network Clinical Laboratories Note:

Blood Tube Draw Volume
Min 50% draw volume  

Specimen Type

Serum Red

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Reference Values

Therapeutic concentrations

Diazepam and Nordiazepam: 200-2,500 ng/mL

Report Available

3 to 7 days

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday

CPT Code Information

80299

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Useful For

Assessing compliance

 

Monitoring for appropriate therapeutic level

 

Assessing diazepam toxicity

Clinical Information

Diazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is an anxiolytic agent that reduces neuronal depolarization resulting in decreased action potentials. It enhances the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by tightly binding to A-type GABA receptors, thus opening the membrane channels, and allowing the entry of chloride ions. It is also used as a muscle relaxant, procedural sedation agent, and sedative-hypnotic agent to treat withdrawal states (ie, ethanol), along with other conditions (seizures).

 

Diazepam is metabolized to several metabolites in the liver, including temazepam, oxazepam, and nordiazepam (desmethyldiazepam), and the clearance of the drug is reduced considerably in older individuals and in patients with hepatic disease.

 

Therapeutic assessment typically includes measurement of both the parent drug (diazepam) and the active metabolite (nordiazepam).

Interpretation

For seizures:

Serum concentrations are not usually monitored during early therapy because response to the drug can be monitored clinically as seizure control. If seizures resume despite adequate therapy, another anticonvulsant must be considered.

 

Toxicity is commonly seen when diazepam plus nordiazepam concentrations exceed 3000 ng/mL. Adverse effects of benzodiazepines in therapeutic doses usually reflect the drug's pharmacology and include sedation, slurred speech, and ataxia. Respiratory depression/arrest may occur with large overdoses or following rapid intravenous injection with short-acting benzodiazepines.

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Forms

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)