Butalbital, Confirmation
CPT Code(s):
80345
Turnaround Time:
24 - 72 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Urine
Minimum Volume:
5.0 mL
Transport Container:
Yellow Top Tube or Sterile Cup
Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature
Collection Instructions:
Collect urine in plastic container and transfer to plain yellow top tube (without preservative).
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen received outside stability requirements; Excessive blood, particulates, viscosity present. Preservative (speckled top) tube.
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
24 hours
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
30 days
Clinical Significance
Butalbital with quantitative results using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) holds specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in the field of toxicology and drug monitoring. This test is designed to detect and measure the concentration of butalbital, a barbiturate medication, in a patient's blood or other body fluids.
The clinical significance and diagnostic use of Butalbital with LC/MS-MS include:
1. Medication Monitoring: Butalbital with quantitative results helps monitor patient compliance and therapeutic drug levels. Butalbital is commonly prescribed in combination with other medications for the treatment of tension headaches and migraines. By measuring the concentration of butalbital in a patient's blood, the test provides objective information on medication adherence and helps ensure that therapeutic levels are maintained for optimal treatment outcomes.
2. Individualized Dosing Adjustments: Quantitative measurements obtained from Butalbital using LC/MS-MS allow healthcare providers to adjust the dosage of butalbital based on an individual patient's metabolism and drug clearance rate. By monitoring the drug concentration over time, healthcare providers can tailor the dosage to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing the risk of side effects or toxicity.
3. Detection of Drug Interactions: Butalbital assists in identifying potential drug interactions involving butalbital. Butalbital can interact with other medications, including opioids and sedatives, increasing the risk of central nervous system depression or other adverse effects. Monitoring the drug concentration allows healthcare providers to identify potential drug-drug interactions and adjust treatment plans accordingly to ensure optimal patient safety and therapeutic outcomes.
4. Medicolegal and Forensic Applications: Butalbital with LC/MS-MS has forensic and medicolegal applications. Quantitative measurements of butalbital levels can provide objective evidence of drug exposure, aiding in legal proceedings, workplace drug testing, or investigations involving drug misuse or impaired driving.
It is important to note that Butalbital with LC/MS-MS provides quantitative results, offering precise measurements of butalbital concentration in a patient's blood or other body fluids. These results assist healthcare providers in assessing medication compliance, individualizing dosing, detecting drug interactions, and supporting forensic investigations.
In summary, Butalbital with quantitative results using LC/MS-MS has specific clinical significance in toxicology and drug monitoring. It aids in medication monitoring, individualized dosing adjustments, detection of drug interactions, and supports forensic and medicolegal applications. By measuring butalbital levels, this test provides valuable information for clinical decision-making, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes, and aiding in legal and forensic investigations related to butalbital use.