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Orderable Name MPHNS Methylphenidate and Metabolite, Serum


Ordering Guidance


This test should only be ordered by healthcare professionals to monitor patients who have been prescribed methylphenidate or identify misuse/abuse.



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: 1 mL Serum

Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Useful For

Confirming drug exposure and monitoring serum concentrations of methylphenidate and ritalinic acid

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Specimen Type

Serum Red

Specimen Minimum Volume

Serum: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Red Frozen 28 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

Methylphenidate:

4-25 ng/mL (Single-dose peak plasma concentration range in children given 10-15 mg dose)

 

Ritalinic acid:

80-250 ng/mL (Single-dose peak plasma concentration range in children given 10-15 mg dose)

 

Cutoff concentrations:

Methylphenidate: 1.0 ng/mL

Ritalinic acid: 1.0 ng/mL

Day(s) Performed

Thursday

Report Available

3 to 9 days

CPT Code Information

G0480

 

80360 (if appropriate for select payers)