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Methylphenidate, Serum

Ritalin

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB852, Beaker: XMPN, MAYO: RIT

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One dark green-top sodium heparin tube.

Also acceptable: One red-top tube.

Do not use Serum Separator Tubes.

Critical FROZEN. Separate samples must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Send specimen for processing immediately after collection.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL serum or plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately. (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Serum Separator (SST) tubes.
• Specimens not collected or processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 2.0 mL serum or plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 180 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN. Forwarded to Medtox Laboratories.

Performed

Tuesday and Thursday.
Results available in 5-13 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the therapeutic monitoring of Ritalin^® (methylphenidate). Ritalin^® is a mild central nervous system stimulant. It is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program which typically includes other remedial measures (psychological, educational, social) for a stabilizing effect in children with a behavioral syndrome characterized by the following group of developmentally inappropriate symptoms: moderate-to-severe distractibility, short attention span, hyperactivity, emotional liability, and impulsivity.

CPT Codes

80360

Contacts

Last Updated

11/5/2024