Amiodarone

Cordarone, Pacerone, Amiodarone and Desethylamiodarone

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232024, Beaker: Amiodarone, Quest: 36721

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One plain Red-top tube.

Do not use Serum Separator Tubes.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge specimen 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: 3.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

In-Lab Processing

Let specimens clot 30-60 minutes. Centrifuge specimen 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: 3.0 mL serum, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 1.0 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 48 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 4 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 Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.
Results available in 3-6 days.

Reference Range

Amiodarone	1.5-2.5 mcg/mL
Desethylamiodarone	1.5-2.5 mcg/mL
Toxic	>2.5 mcg/mL

Toxic effects have been observed at levels as low as 2.0 mcg/mL.

Test Methodology

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

Clinical Utility

Amiodarone is an antiarrythmic drug. Therapeutic drug monitoring is useful to monitor compliance and avoid toxicity.

CPT Codes

80151

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025