The Pathology laboratories will no longer perform an in-house screening test for tricyclic antidepressants. Review of the literature and data at UIHC indicate that immunoassay screening assays for tricyclic antidepressants have poor specificity for tricyclic antidepressants and frequently cross-react with other medications, resulting in false positives. Beginning 9/15/2009, a tricyclic antidepressant assay by high-performance liquid chromatography will be performed at a reference laboratory. This assay will screen for all currently available tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin, imipramine, despiramine) and their main metabolites and quantitate concentrations of drugs and metabolites above 10 ng/mL. This single assay will also replace separate mail-out tests for amitriptyline/nortriptyline, imipramine/desipramine, and doxepin/nordoxepin.

On September 15, 2009, the specimen requirements will change to:

Adult:  10 mLs whole blood in red top tube
Peds:  5 mLs whole blood in red top tube

Questions can be directed to Matthew Krasowski M.D., Ph.D. (Medical Director, Clinical Chemistry Laboratory) at 384-9380.