Specimen Collection

The quoted therapeutic range is for trough concentrations; specimens should be collected shortly before administering the next dose of the drug.

PST / SST samples are NOT suitable for this test.

Sample stability:

• 2 days at 20-25 ^o C
• 7 days at 2-8 ^o C
• 4 weeks at -20 ^o C

5 mL Heparin Blood (Preferred)

4 mL Plain Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Microsample Blood

0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-heparin Blood
Reference Intervals

Units: umol/L

Therapeutic Range (trough) : 16 - 40

Uncertainty of Measurement: 6%

Turnaround Time: Within 3 hours
Assay Method

Principle: Immunoturbidometric assay

Reagents: Roche TDM Carbamazepine Gen. 4

Analyser: Cobas c502

Diagnostic Use and Interpretation

Monitoring:

Carbamazepine is an anti-epileptic agent displaying anticonvulsive and psychotropic activity.

Determination of serum levels can be useful as a means of establishing the optimum dose, especially where carbamazepine is being used for combined therapy.

Blood counts and liver function tests should be performed before commencing treatment. Blood counts should be repeated at weekly intervals for the first month of treatment and then at monthly intervals.

Liver function tests should also be performed at regular intervals - see Hepatotoxic Drug Reactions .

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 Samarina Musaad (Clinical Lead) : SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz ext. 22402
• Dr Cam Kyle : CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz ext 22052
• Dr Weldon Chiu : WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Campbell Heron : CHeron@adhb.govt.nz ext. 23427
• Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe Saku.Jayasinghe@adhb.govt.nz
• Dr Owen Yi WenyiYi@adhb.govt.nz

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