Nortriptyline, Confirmation
CPT Code(s):
80335
Turnaround Time:
24 - 72 hours
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen:
Urine
Minimum Volume:
1.0 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
Stability Criteria
Room Temperature:
24 hours
Refrigerated:
7 days
Frozen:
30 days
Clinical Significance
Nortriptyline with quantitative results using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) has specific clinical significance and diagnostic use in measuring the concentration of nortriptyline in a patient's biological sample. Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of depression and certain other mental health conditions.
The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of Nortriptyline include:
1. Medication Monitoring: Nortriptyline helps healthcare providers monitor patient compliance and therapeutic drug levels during nortriptyline therapy. By quantifying the concentration of nortriptyline in a patient's sample, it provides objective information about the patient's adherence to medication and helps ensure that therapeutic levels are maintained.
2. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Nortriptyline has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the therapeutic range between effective and toxic levels is relatively small. Nortriptyline allows healthcare providers to monitor nortriptyline levels and adjust the dosage as needed to ensure optimal therapeutic efficacy and minimize the risk of adverse effects.
3. Individualized Dosing: Nortriptyline is metabolized at varying rates in different individuals, and individual variations in drug metabolism can affect the drug's efficacy and safety. Monitoring nortriptyline levels through Nortriptyline enables healthcare providers to personalize the dosage regimen based on individual metabolism, leading to more effective and safe treatment outcomes.
4. Drug-Drug Interactions: Nortriptyline can interact with other medications, potentially affecting its metabolism and therapeutic efficacy. Monitoring nortriptyline levels helps identify drug-drug interactions that may alter the concentration of nortriptyline in the body and enables appropriate adjustments in the treatment plan to maintain optimal therapeutic levels.
Interpretation of the quantitative results of Nortriptyline should consider the patient's clinical context, treatment history, and the specific nortriptyline concentrations detected. Monitoring nortriptyline levels helps ensure medication compliance, evaluate therapeutic drug levels, and detect potential risks associated with nortriptyline use.
Nortriptyline with quantitative results using LC/MS-MS provides accurate and reliable quantification of nortriptyline in a patient's sample. This method offers enhanced sensitivity and specificity, enabling precise measurements in a wide dynamic range.
In summary, Nortriptyline with quantitative results using LC/MS-MS is specifically used for medication monitoring, therapeutic drug monitoring, individualized dosing, and detecting drug-drug interactions related to nortriptyline therapy. It provides valuable information about the concentration of nortriptyline in a patient's sample, aiding healthcare providers in optimizing treatment outcomes, ensuring medication compliance, and minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Collaboration between laboratory professionals and healthcare providers is crucial for accurate interpretation of the test results and appropriate patient care.