Pentobarbital

Last Modified: 7/18/2016 8:33:46 AM


Specimen Requirements: 1.0 mL Serum from a Red Top Tube in a Plastic Vial
Collection Instructions: Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL Serum
Transport & Storage: Temperature/Stability: 1 week Refrigerated
Rejection Criteria: Grossly hemolyzed or severely lipemic specimens.
Reference Range: 4.0-10.0 µg/mL

Toxic Level: greater than 12.0 µg/mL
Methodology: Quantitative Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
Clinical Significance: Pentobarbital (pentobarbitone, Nembutal®) is a short-acting barbiturate derivative first prepared in 1930. The drug is available alone and in combination with other agents in amounts of 15-200 mg for oral, intramuscular, or rectal administration. It is supplied as the racemic mixture in the form of both the free acid and the sodium salt, the latter being strongly alkaline in aqueous solution. Repeated intravenous doses of pentobarbital, usually 100-200 mg every 30-60 minutes, have been used to reduce intracranial pressure and lower cerebral oxygen demand in patients with severe head trauma, Reye's syndrome, or anoxic brain damage. The doses are adjusted to maintain the plasma drug level at 25-40 mg/L, and therapy may continue for up to several weeks.
Documentation: Detect use.
Evaluate therapeutic effect or possible toxicity.
Custom Panel: No

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Days Performed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Sites Performed: South Bend Medical Foundation
PHL Test Code: MSOT
EPIC Test Code:
Send Out Test Code: 31077
Alternate Test Names: Nembutal®; PENTO; Pentobarbitone
CPT Coding: 82486

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