Lab Dept:

Chemistry

Test Name:

ACETAMINOPHEN LEVEL

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

ACET

Synonyms:

Tylenol®, Datril®, Excedrin®, Liquiprin®, Tempra®

CPT Codes:

82003 - Acetaminophen

Test Includes:

Acetaminophen concentration in ug/mL.

Logistics

Test Indications:

Useful for therapeutic drug monitoring and evaluation of acetaminophen toxicity. This commonly used analgesic drug may cause severe hepatic toxicity or death when consumed in overdose quantities.

Lab Testing Sections:

Chemistry

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

4 hours, Stat: 1 hour

Special Instructions:

N/A

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Blood

Container:

Green top (Li Heparin) tube preferred
Alternate tube: Red top (plain or serum separator) tubes

Draw Volume:

0.6 mL blood

Processed Volume:

0.2 mL serum/plasma

Collection:

Routine venipuncture. Mix tubes containing anticoagulant by gentle inversion.

Ingestion: Specimen should be drawn 4 hours after ingestion for peak toxic level.

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum/plasma aliquot into plastic sample cup. Analyze immediately or store at refrigerated temperatures.

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Interpretive

Reference Range:

Therapeutic concentration: 10-25 ug/mL

Critical Values:

>25 ug/mL

Limitations:

N/A

Methodology:

Enzymatic

References:

Jacobs & DeMott Laboratory Test Handbook (2001) Lexi-Comp, Inc, Hudson, OH, 5th Edition

ACTM Flex® reagent cartridge insert sheet PN 717088.001 Issue Date 2008-03-06 Rev. F

Updates:

2/1/2012: Critical value update.