Test ID: PARO
Paroxetine, 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 paroxetine therapy
While regular blood level monitoring is not indicated in most patients, the test is useful to identify noncompliance
When used in conjunction with CYP2D6 genotyping, the test can identify states of altered drug metabolism
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-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
Paxil (Paroxetine)
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: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Spin down 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 |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Paroxetine (Paxil and Paxil CR) is approved for treatment of depression. Paroxetine is completely absorbed. Metabolites of paroxetine are inactive. Paroxetine metabolism is carried out by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. Paroxetine can saturate CYP2D6 resulting in a nonlinear relationship between dose and serum concentration. Paroxetine clearance is significantly affected by reduced hepatic function, but only slightly by reduced renal function.
A typical adult paroxetine dose is 30 mg per day. Paroxetine is 100% bioavailable, 95% protein bound, and the apparent volume of distribution is 17 L/Kg. Time to peak serum concentration is 5 hours for the regular product and 8 hours for the controlled release product. The elimination half-life is 20 hours. Half-life is prolonged in the elderly and with cirrhosis.
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.
30-90 ng/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Steady-state serum concentrations associated with optimal response to paroxetine are in the range of 30 to 90 ng/mL.
The most common toxicities associated with excessive serum concentration are asthenia, anticholinergic effects, anxiety, blurred vision, and changes in sexual function. Toxic range: 400 ng/mL.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR). 59th edition. Montvale, NJ, Medical Economics Company, 2005
2. Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 10th edition. Edited by JG Hardman, LE Limbird. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1994, p1994
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Paroxetine, citalopram, venlafaxine, and venlafaxine metabolite are extracted from serum by precipitation with acetonitrile. Dilute methanolic hydrochloric acid is added to form a salt to protect analytes from volatilization during the evaporation of the acetonitrile. High-performance liquid chromatography with detection by tandem mass spectrometer (MS/MS) is used to measure concentration. (Zhu Z, Neirinck L: High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of paroxetine in human plasma. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002;780:295-300)
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.
Monday through Friday
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 83731 | Paroxetine, S | 9699-0 |


