Escitalopram, Serum/Plasma
Test Summary
Drug monitor
Aliases
- NMS code 1965SP
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red top tube
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Instructions
Promptly centrifuge and separate serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial, using approved guidelines.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 30 days
- Refrigerated: 30 days
- Frozen: 7 months
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in a lavender top tube (EDTA) or pink top tube (EDTA)
Unacceptable Specimens
Polymer gel separation tube (SST or PST)
Order Code
ESCITL
EPIC (Premier) Code
LAB6333
Includes
N/A
CPT Code
- 80299
Billing Code
- 670277
- 670278
CPT Statement
Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)
FDA Status
This test was developed and its performance characteristics have been determined by NMS Labs. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Physician Attestation of Informed Consent
N/A
Testing Laboratory
National Medical Services
200 Welsh Rd
Horsham PA, 19044
200 Welsh Rd
Horsham PA, 19044
Department
Reference Testing
Reference Range
- Steady-state serum or plasma levels from patients on a daily regimen of 30 to 60 mg Citalopram: 9-200 ng/mL.
- Steady-state peak plasma levels from patients on regimen of 10 or 30 mg/day: 21 and 64 ng/mL, respectively, and occur at approximately 4 hours post dose.
- This test is not chiral specific; therefore, Citalopram and/or Escitalopram may be present. Patients who have taken Racemic Citalopram (Celexa®), as opposed to Escitalopram (Lexapro®), within the past 3 days may have falsely elevated values.
- Analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Report available: 4 days
Specimen Collection
Special Instructions
N/A
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum collected in a red top tube
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Instructions
Promptly centrifuge and separate serum or plasma into a plastic, screw-capped vial, using approved guidelines.
Patient Preparation
N/A
Storage
Plastic screw-cap vial
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
- Room temperature: 30 days
- Refrigerated: 30 days
- Frozen: 7 months
Limitations
N/A
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in a lavender top tube (EDTA) or pink top tube (EDTA)
Unacceptable Specimens
Polymer gel separation tube (SST or PST)
Result Information
Methodology
High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS)
Testing Laboratory
N/A
Reference Range
- Steady-state serum or plasma levels from patients on a daily regimen of 30 to 60 mg Citalopram: 9-200 ng/mL.
- Steady-state peak plasma levels from patients on regimen of 10 or 30 mg/day: 21 and 64 ng/mL, respectively, and occur at approximately 4 hours post dose.
- This test is not chiral specific; therefore, Citalopram and/or Escitalopram may be present. Patients who have taken Racemic Citalopram (Celexa®), as opposed to Escitalopram (Lexapro®), within the past 3 days may have falsely elevated values.
- Analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time
Report available: 4 days