Test ID: FLUOX
Fluoxetine, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring serum concentration of fluoxetine during therapy
Evaluating potential toxicity
Evaluating patient compliance
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
High-Turbulence Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HTLC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Norfluoxetine
Prozac (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Red top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Spin down and separate serum from cells within 2 hours of draw.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Other | Serum gel tube |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Frozen | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor approved for treatment of bulimia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, panic, premenstrual dysphoria, and major depressive disorder, with a variety of off-label uses. Both fluoxetine and its major metabolite, norfluoxetine, are pharmacologically active, and are reported together in this assay. Most individuals respond optimally when combined serum concentrations for both parent and metabolite are in the therapeutic range (120-300 ng/mL) at steady state. Due to the long half-lives of parent and metabolite (1-6 days), it may take several weeks for patients to reach steady-state concentrations. Fluoxetine is a potent inhibitor of the metabolic enzyme CYP2D6, with lesser inhibitory effects on CYP2C19 and CYP3A. Therapy with fluoxetine is therefore subject to numerous drug interactions, which is compounded by wide interindividual variability in fluoxetine pharmacokinetics. Measurement of the drug is useful for managing comedications, dose or formulation changes, and in assessing compliance. Side effects are milder for fluoxetine than for older antidepressants such as the tricyclics. The most common side effects of fluoxetine therapy include nausea, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, and drowsiness. Anticholinergic and cardiovascular side effects are markedly reduced compared to tricyclic antidepressants. Fatalities from fluoxetine overdose are extremely rare.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Fluoxetine + norfluoxetine: 120-300 ng/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Most individuals display optimal response to fluoxetine when combined serum levels of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine are between 120 and 300 ng/mL. Some individuals may respond well outside of this range, or may display toxicity within the therapeutic range, thus interpretation should include clinical evaluation. A toxic range has not been well established.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
This test cannot be performed on whole blood. Serum must be separated from cells within 2 hours of draw. Specimens that are obtained from gel tubes are not acceptable.
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Wille SM, Cooreman SG, Neels, HM, Lambert WE: Relevant issues in the monitoring and toxicology of antidepressants. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2008;45(1):25-89
2. Baumann P, Hiemke C, Ulrich S, et al: The AGNP-TDM expert group consensus guidelines: therapeutic drug monitoring in psychiatry. Pharmacopsychiatry 2004;37:243-265
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Serum samples containing fluoxetine and norfluoxetine are diluted in an aqueous solution containing deuterated internal standards, then injected onto a high turbulence liquid chromatography system for online extraction. Detection is by tandem mass spectrometry. (Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Wednesday
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
80299
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 80228 | Fluoxetine, S | 3644-2 |
| 251 | Norfluoxetine, S | 3868-7 |
| 252 | Fluoxetine+Norfluoxetine | 10339-0 |


