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Perhexiline


Serum
Test performed by: LabPLUS Toxicology


Specimen Collection

Serum from plain red top non-gel containing tube is the  only acceptable collection tube type.

Gel containing tubes are NOT acceptable.

All samples should be collected 6 - 12 hours post dose.

Tubes containing gel (SST and PST) are NOT acceptable


Plain4 mL Plain Blood (Preferred)
Reference Intervals

Units: umol/L

Therapeutic range: 0.54 - 2.16 (150-600ug/L)

Uncertainty of Measurement:  14% umol/L



Turnaround Time: Within 1 week
Assay Method

Principle : Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LCMS)


Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Perhexiline maleate monitoring

Short term treatment, while awaiting coronary re-vascularisation:

The perhexiline level should be measured  72 - 96 h after the start of therapy.  If the patient develops nausea or dizziness, or has a concentration > 2.16 umol/L (600 ug/L), the dose should be reduced and the level repeated  72 h later. A level > 2.16 umol/L also identifies patients who are likely to be slow metabolisers.

If below 2.16 umol/L (600 ug/L), it should be repeated 14 days later, by which time the patient should have reached a steady state.

Long term treatment:

A perhexiline level is recommended  14 days after the start of therapy. At this stage all patients should have reached a steady state and rapid metabolisers will have a concentration close to the therapeutic range of 0.54 - 2.16 umol/L (150 - 600 ug/L), while slow metabolisers will have a concentration at least twice the therapeutic range.

If a dose alteration is required,  the level should be measured again 14 days later, remembering that it may take up to 3 months for a slow metaboliser to reach a steady state.


Contact Information

The chemical pathology  team can be reached via email: chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz or via Lablink  (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995

Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.

After-hours: contact  Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours .


Dr. Hima Madhavaram, Toxicologist: ext 22057


Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories

Centrifuge and separate blood as soon as possible after collection.

If sending within Auckland then sample can be sent refrigerated (2-8 degrees) or at ambient temperature (8-24 degrees).

If sending from outside Auckland then send sample refrigerated (2-8 degrees).

 

Note: If temperature during shipping is likely to exceed 24 degrees then results may not always be reliable.



Last updated at 11:42:03 16/01/2026