Monitoring serum concentration of fluoxetine during therapy
Evaluating potential toxicity
Evaluating patient compliance
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Norfluoxetine
Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride)
Serum Red
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood immediately before the next scheduled dose (trough).
2. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
0.5 mL
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
Frozen | 28 days | ||
Ambient | 72 hours |
Monitoring serum concentration of fluoxetine during therapy
Evaluating potential toxicity
Evaluating patient compliance
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor approved for treatment of bulimia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, panic disorders, premenstrual dysphoria, and major depressive disorder, with a variety of off-label uses. Both fluoxetine and its major metabolite, norfluoxetine, are pharmacologically active and are reported together in this assay. Most individuals respond optimally when combined serum concentrations for both parent and metabolite are in the therapeutic range (120-500 ng/mL) at steady state. Due to the long half-life of the parent and metabolite (1-6 days), it may take several weeks for patients to reach steady-state concentrations. Fluoxetine is a potent inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, with lesser inhibitory effects on CYP2C19 and CYP3A. Therapy with fluoxetine is, therefore, subject to numerous drug interactions, which are compounded by wide interindividual variability in fluoxetine pharmacokinetics. Measurement of the drug is useful for managing comedications, dose or formulation changes, and in assessing compliance. Side effects are milder for fluoxetine than for older antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants. The most common side effects of fluoxetine therapy include nausea, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and drowsiness. Anticholinergic and cardiovascular side effects are markedly reduced compared to tricyclic antidepressants. Fatalities from fluoxetine overdose are extremely rare.
Fluoxetine + Norfluoxetine: 120-500 ng/mL
Most individuals display optimal response to fluoxetine when combined serum levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine are between 120 and 500 ng/mL. Some individuals may respond well outside of this range or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range; therefore, interpretation should include clinical evaluation. A toxic range has not been well established.
Specimens obtained from gel tube or anticoagulant collections can cause assay interference.
1. 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
2. Westanmo AD, Gayken J, Haight R: Duloxetine. A balanced and selective norepinephrine- and serotonin-reuptake inhibitor. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2005;62(23):2481-2490
3. Waldschmitt C, Vogel F, Pfuhlmann B, Hiemke C. Duloxetine serum concentrations and clinical effects. Data from a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) survey. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2009;42(5):189-193
4. Feighner JP, Cohn JB. Double-blind comparative trials of fluoxetine and doxepin in geriatric patients with major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 1985;46(3 Pt 2):20-25
5. Kelly MW, Perry PJ, Holstad SG, Garvey MJ. Serum fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentrations and antidepressant response. Ther Drug Monit. 1989;11:165-170
6. Benfield P, Heel RC, Lewis SP. Fluoxetine: A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic efficacy in depressive illness. Drugs. 1986;32(6):481-508
7. Wille SM, Cooreman SG, Neels, et al. Relevant issues in the monitoring and toxicology of antidepressants. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2008;45(1):25-89
Serum samples containing fluoxetine and norfluoxetine are diluted in an aqueous solution containing deuterated internal standards and then injected onto a high-turbulence liquid chromatography system for online extraction. Detection is by tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Wednesday
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 |
---|---|---|
FLUOX | Fluoxetine, S | 78437-1 |
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.
|
---|---|---|
80228 | Fluoxetine, S | 74982-0 |
251 | Norfluoxetine, S | 3868-7 |
252 | Fluoxetine+Norfluoxetine | 74948-1 |