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Test ID MEPHS Mephobarbital and Phenobarbital, Serum

Reporting Name

Mephobarbital and Phenobarbital, S

Useful For

Monitoring of mephobarbital and phenobarbital therapy

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
MBARS Mephobarbital, S No Yes
PHBRS Phenobarbital, S No Yes

Specimen Type

Serum Red


Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Red top (Serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 2.0 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect specimen immediately before next scheduled dose.

2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Red Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Ambient  14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reference Values

MEPHOBARBITAL

Therapeutic range: 1.0-7.0 mcg/mL

Toxic concentration: ≥15.0 mcg/mL

 

PHENOBARBITAL

Therapeutic range

Children: 15.0-30.0 mcg/mL

Adults: 20.0-40.0 mcg/mL

Toxic concentration: ≥60.0 mcg/mL

Day(s) Performed

Thursday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

80184

Clinical Information

Mephobarbital is an orally administered, methylated barbiturate used for the treatment of epilepsy.(1,2) It is demethylated by hepatic microsomal enzymes to generate its major metabolite, phenobarbital. During long-term use, most of the mephobarbital activity can be attributed to the accumulation of phenobarbital. Consequently, the pharmacological properties, toxicity, and clinical uses of mephobarbital are the same as phenobarbital.(1,2) The use of mephobarbital is uncommon as it offers no significant advantage over phenobarbital alone.(1,2)

Interpretation

Mephobarbital concentrations above 15 mcg/mL have been associated with toxicity.

 

Phenobarbital concentrations between 35 and 80 mcg/mL have been associated with slowness, ataxia, and nystagmus, while concentrations above 100 mcg/mL have been associated with coma without reflexes.

Cautions

Concentration at which toxicity occurs varies and results should be interpreted in light of the clinical situation.

 

Specimens collected in serum gel tubes are not acceptable because the drug can absorb on the gel and lead to falsely decreased concentrations.

Clinical Reference

1. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:454-454.e484

2. Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemical in Man. 12th ed. Biomedical Publications; 2020

3. Milone MC, Shaw LM. Therapeutic drugs and their management. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:420-453

4. Mihic SJ, Mayfield J. Hypnotics and sedatives. In: Brunton LL, Knollman BC, eds. Goodman and  Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 14th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2023

Method Description

Barbiturates are extracted from serum using solid-phase extraction techniques. The serum is buffered and eluted with organic solvent. The organic phase is dried, reconstituted, and analysis performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, using selected ion monitoring. The assay utilizes deuterated barbiturates as internal standards.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Report Available

3 to 9 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

NY State Approved

Yes

Method Name

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.