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Acyclovir Level, Plasma

Zovirax, Acycloguanosine

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6213, Beaker: XACYB, Mayo: FACYS

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Lavender-top EDTA tube.

Do not use Serum Separator Tubes.
Time of Collection: Trough, just prior to the next dose.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum or plasma, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Serum Separator (SST) Tubes.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
• Hemolyzed specimen.
• Lipemic specimen.
• Icteric specimen.

In-Lab Processing

Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum or plasma, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 30 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 120 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 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 Medical Laboratories, Rochester, MN, forwarded to National Medical Services (NMS), Willow Grove, PA.

Performed

Varies.
Results available in 9-11 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 acyclovir (Zovirax^®), an antiviral drug. Zovirax^® is indicated for the acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles), the treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes and for the treatment of chickenpox (varicella).

CPT Codes

80375 (alternate code: G0480).

Contacts

Last Updated

10/16/2023