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Test Name:
Pentobarbital, Serum
- SBMF No:
31077 - Performance Lab Name:
Toxicology - Test Mnemonic:
PENTO - ABN:
Not required - CPT Code:
82486 - LOINC Code:
3924-8 - Also Known As:
Pentobarbitone
Nembutal® - Spec Type:
Serum - Spec Container:
Red top (serum) tube - Pref Vol:
3.0 mL - Min Vol:
0.5 mL - Fasting:
No - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture - Spec Process:
Clot 30 minutes
Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
Immediately transfer serum to separate plastic tube - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated - Spec Stability:
1 week refrigerated (2-8°C) - Spec Remarks:
Uncentrifuged primary sample tube also acceptable - Methodology:
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) - Use:
Detect use
Evaluate therapeutic effect or possible toxicity - 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. - Reference Range:
Therapeutic Range: 4.0-10.0 µg/mL - Critical High Value:
Toxic Level: greater than 12.0 µg/mL - Day Run:
Mon-Fri - Time Run:
2:00 pm - Time Reported:
24 hours - Test Type:
TOX-TDM
