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HelpTest Code PHENB Phenobarbital
Additional Codes
Epic: LAB30
Specimen Required
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container/Type
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 3.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 1 hour of collection.
Additional Information: The patient's clinical condition and dosage regiment may influence the sample collection time.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 2 days
Refrigerated: 8 days
Frozen: 6 months
Clinical Significance
Phenobarbital was introduced in 1912 for the treatment of epilepsy, particularly for controlling focal motor or sensory seizures and grand mal seizures. Phenobarbital is bound to both plasma and tissue proteins. Monitoring serum concentrations of Phenobarbital has been shown to improve patient therapy by providing physicians with a tool for adjusting dosage. In addition, because of the narrow therapeutic index and wide inter-individual variability in the rate of phenobarbital metabolism and clearance, the determination of blood levels of phenobarbital for patients receiving therapy is essential.
Reference Range
Therapeutic: 15.0 - 40.0 µg/mL
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Method Name
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA)
LOINC
3948-7
Aliases
Barbita (Phenobarbital)
Luminal
PBR
Solfoton (Phenobarbital)