Bupropion and Metabolite Serum/Plasma

Wellbutrin^®, Bupropion

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232130, Beaker: WELL, Quest: 8592

NOTE: Testing includes: Bupropion and Hydroxybupropion

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One plain Red-top tubes.
Also acceptable: One Lavender-top EDTA tubes.

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

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum or plasma, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.4 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Serum Separator (SST) tubes.
• Non-frozen specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Centrifuge to separate serum or plasma from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze (-20°C/-4°F or below) immediately.

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.4 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
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.
Results available in 2-3 days.

Reference Range

Bupropion	50-100 ng/mL
Hydroxybupropion	600-2000 ng/mL

Test Methodology

Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

Interpretation

By report.

Clinical Utility

Bupropion and Metabolite, Serum/Plasma - Bupropion is an antidepressant for treating mental depression. Monitoring its level is important to optimize therapy, to avoid toxicity and to assure compliance.

CPT Codes

80299

Contacts

Last Updated

12/19/2025