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Haloperidol Level

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6046, Beaker: XHALP, Mayo: HALO

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One plain Red-top tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

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

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Serum Separator (SST) tubes.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

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

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 28 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 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 Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Tuesday.
Results available in 2-6 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

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

Interpretation

The upper limit of the haloperidol therapeutic range is not well defined. Some patients require higher plasma concentrations to achieve therapeutic effect and exhibit no toxicity, while others exhibit toxicity within the therapeutic range. To a greater extent than with many other drugs, dosage must be individualized to each patient. The lowest possible plasma concentration at which therapeutic effect is exhibited should be sought.

Clinical Utility

Haloperidol is a member of the butyrophenone class of neuroleptic drugs used to treat psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). It is also used to control the tics and verbal utterances associated with Tourette's syndrome and in the management of intensely hyper-excitable children who fail to respond to other treatment modalities. This assay is used for the therapeutic monitoring and toxicity assessment of haloperidol.

CPT Codes

80173

Contacts

Last Updated

9/18/2023