Acyclovir Plasma

Zovirax, Acycloguanosine

Test Codes

Order as Miscellaneous Send Out test: EPIC: LAB848, Beaker: Ref Lab Misc., MAYO: FACYS

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 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 at (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

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

Rejection Criteria

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

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 at (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum or plasma, refrigerated at (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): 30 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 120 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal: 14 days

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

Monday – Sunday.
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

3/9/2026