Levetiracetam

Diagnostic Use

Therapeutic drug monitoring for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

LEVE

Turnaround Time

48 hours

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4.0

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2.0

Additional Specimen Information

Gel tubes are NOT an acceptable sample for this analysis. Only red top or lithium heparin tubes (without gel separators) are acceptable specimens.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

1

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

The standard half-life of levetiracetam is 8 hours, with time to steady-state of approximately 48 hours.

Refer to the CDHB Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Profiles for advice on how to interpret levetiracetam levels.

Reference Intervals

The trough concentration reference interval for levetiracetam is 12-46mg/L

Test Method

ARK immunoassay on Beckman Coulter automated analyser

Non-Funded Test Cost

$76.96 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8888

Contact Information

Enquiry Form