Specimen Information

Type

Red Top or Lavender Top EDTA

Volume

1.0 ml

Transport Info

Centrifuge and immediately transfer serum to separate plastic tube
Refrigerated

Fasting Required?

False

Clinical Significance

Detect use. Evaluate therapeutic effect or possible toxicity.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a class of highly basic and hydrophobic compounds used extensively to counteract primary (endogenous) depression in humans.TCAs undergo extensive hepatic metabolism by two common pathways, each resulting in more polar metabolites. Several of the dealkylated metabolites themselves are psychoactive drugs and are monitored as well. The parent drugs and their active metabolites are highly bound to plasma and tissue proteins. Plasma concentration and rate of metabolism depend on factors such as hepatic status of the patient, and concomitant use of drugs which can either inhibit or promote the hepatic enzyme responsible for metabolism.Structurally, TCAs consists of two aromatic rings connected by a seven-member ring containing a basic side chain. Prominent members of this class can be divided into two groups, Tertiary amines and Secondary amines. This assay is designed for the quantitative measurement of the tertiary amines Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Doxepin, Trimipramine and the secondary amines Nortriptyline, Desipramine and Desmethyl Doxepin in serum or plasma.