Lab Test

Levetiracetam Level

Keppra

Test Codes

Antrim #31509, EPIC: LAB5398, SOFT: LEVET

Department

Toxicology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One plain Red-top tube. (Minimum Whole Blood: 2.0 mL)

Do not use Serum Separator Tubes.
Time of Collection:
 Trough, just prior to the next dose.
Record the exact time of specimen collection on the tube or in the computer system.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the collection tube within two hours of collection. (Minimum: 2.0 mL blood)

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Collection tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 2.0 mL blood)

Rejection Criteria

  • Serum Separator (SST) tubes.
  • Severely lipemic or hemolyzed specimens.  

In-Lab Processing

Let specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge specimen to separate serum from cells. Deliver an aliquot of serum or the collection tube immediately to the appropriate testing station.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 24 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 3 months

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Laboratory

Royal Oak Toxicology Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday.
Routine results available the same day as testing performed (1-2 days).

Reference Range

Therapeutic Range: 10-45 mcg/mL.
Critical Value: 70 mcg/mL.

The Therapeutic Range for Levetiracetam has not achieved adequate consensus, the values cited above are for general reference. Patients should be evaluated for therapeutic response and toxicity and managed individually.

Test Methodology

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Beaumont Health. It has not been cleared or approved by the FDA. The Laboratory is regulated under CLIA as qualified to perform high-complexity testing. This test is used for clinical purposes and should not be regarded as investigational or for research.

Interpretation

Levetiracetam is not metabolized extensively and largely depends on renal elimination for clearance. Patients with diminished or changing renal function, the aging and dialysis patients may require dosage adjustment.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used for the therapeutic monitoring and toxicity assessment of levetiracetam. Levetiracetam is indicated as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. Levetiracetam has been shown to exhibit bone marrow suppression. It may be appropriate to monitor white and red blood cell counts.

CPT Codes

80177
LOINC: 30471-7, Last Dose Date  29742-4, Last Dose Time  29637-6

Contacts

Last Updated

1/25/2023

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