Specimen Requirements

Collect specimens just prior to next dose of drug (trough specimen)

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Centrifuge and separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection, and send 1 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated.

Note:  Label specimen as “plasma”.

Acceptable:

Serum

Draw blood in a plain, red-top tube or a serum gel tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Centrifuge and separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note:  Label specimen as “serum”