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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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AMITRIPTYLINE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1727    Geisinger Epic ID:  21985

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum (preferred) or plasma.


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
3 mL green/black top lithium heparin tube
3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube
4 mL green/green-top (sodium heparin) tube
Specimen required: 

3 mL of serum or plasma; minimum 1.5 mL.


Special notes: 

Collect as a trough or at least 12 hours after last dose. Do not use gel barrier tubes.


Patient preparation: 

Collect as a trough or at least 12 hours after last dose.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Centrifuge and immediately separate serum or plasma specimens from the cells into clean, plastic, screw-capped vial(s). Transport refrigerated (cold packs).


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred).


Specimen stability: 

Room Temperature: 5 days. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 30 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded. Gross hemolysis. Specimen collected in gel barrier tube.



TEST DETAILS
CPT code(s):  80299 (Unspecified quantitative therapeutic drug) or 80335 (Definitive drug)
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline and Total.


Methodology: 
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Synonyms: 

Elavil, AMTRIP, Quest test code 423


Clinical significance: 

Amitriptyline - The tricyclics are used to treat depression. Nortriptyline is an active metabolite of Amitriptyline. Therapeutic drug levels are monitored to assist the physician assessing therapeutic response and to avoid toxicity.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Randin Nelson MD
Review Date:  12/05/2024

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