Monitoring serum concentration of desipramine during therapy
Evaluating potential desipramine toxicity
May aid in evaluating patient compliance
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Desipramine, Serum
Norpramin (Desipramine)
Norpramin (Desipramine), Serum
TCA (Tricyclic Antidepressants)
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
Serum Red
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: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect specimen immediately before next scheduled dose (minimum 12 hours after last dose).
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Serum must be separated from cells within 2 hours of collection.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
0.25 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
Frozen | 28 days | ||
Ambient | 7 days |
Monitoring serum concentration of desipramine during therapy
Evaluating potential desipramine toxicity
May aid in evaluating patient compliance
Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant and a metabolite of imipramine. These drugs have also been employed in the treatment of enuresis (involuntary urination) in childhood and severe obsessive-compulsive neurosis. Desipramine is the antidepressant of choice in patients where maximal stimulation is indicated.
The therapeutic concentration of desipramine is 100 to 300 ng/mL. About 1 to 3 weeks of treatment are required before therapeutic effectiveness becomes apparent.
The most frequent side effects are those attributable to anticholinergic effects: dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, tachycardia, palpitations, blurred vision, and urinary retention. These occur at blood concentrations more than 400 ng/mL, although they may occur at therapeutic concentrations in the early stage of therapy. Cardiac toxicity (first-degree heart block) is usually associated with blood concentrations more than 400 ng/mL.
Therapeutic concentration: 100-300 ng/mL
Note: Therapeutic ranges are for specimens collected at trough (ie, immediately before next scheduled dose).
Levels may be elevated in non-trough specimens.
Most individuals display optimal response to desipramine with serum levels of 100 to 300 ng/mL. Some individuals may respond well outside of this range or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range; thus, interpretation should include clinical evaluation. Risk of toxicity is increased with levels above 400 ng/mL.
This test cannot be performed on whole blood. Serum must be separated from cells within 2 hours of collection; if serum is not removed within this time, tricyclic antidepressant levels may be falsely elevated due to drug release from red blood cells.
Specimens that are obtained from gel tubes are not acceptable, as the drug can absorb on the gel and lead to falsely decreased concentrations.
1. Wille SM, Cooreman SG, Neels HM, Lambert WE. Relevant issues in the monitoring and toxicology of antidepressants. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2008;45(1):25-89
2. Thanacoody HK, Thomas SH. Antidepressant poisoning. Clin Med. 2003;3(2):114-118
3. Hiemke C, Bergemann N, Clement HW, et al. Consensus guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring in neuropsychopharmacology: Update 2017. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2018;51(1-02):9-62
4. Milone MC, Shaw LM. Therapeutic drugs and their management. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:420-453.
The tricyclic antidepressants are extracted from serum using a solvent crash to precipitate proteins. The supernatant is remove and analysis is by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).(Unpublished Mayo method)
Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
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.
80299
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
DESPR | Desipramine, S | 3531-1 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
37123 | Desipramine, S | 3531-1 |