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Test Code
CITLP
Test Name
Citalopram, Quantitative, Whole Blood
CPT Codes
AMA 80332, CMS G0480
Expected Turnaround Time
5 - 7 days
Clinical Utility
  • Citalopram (Celexa) and Escitalopram (Lexapro) are approved for the treatment of depression. Although routine therapeutic drug monitoring is not indicated, this test is useful for identifying compliance and/or overdose.
  • This test includes identification and quantitation of:

Citalopram
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen

Container

Volume

Whole Blood

Grey Top* (Sodium Fluoride, Potassium Oxalate)

3 mL

Whole Blood

Dark Green Top (Lithium Heparin)

3 mL

Whole Blood

Lavender Top (EDTA)

3 mL

Serum

Red Top, Plain

1 mL

*Preferred Specimen 
Processing and Submission Instructions

For forensic or legal purposes, submit specimen in a plastic evidence bag with a Chain-of-Custody Form.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

 7 days

Refrigerated

 7 days
Causes for Rejection

Specimens collected in separator tubes will be rejected. 
Methodology
Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reference Intervals

 Analyte

Therapeutic Range (ng/mL)

Toxic (ng/mL)

R,S Citalopram

100-250

>300

S Citalopram

50-130

>300

**Note: This method is not chiral specific.
Limitations

Analyte

Reporting Limit (ng/mL)

Citalopram

25
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Alternate Names
  • Celexa
  • Lexapro
Testing Schedule
Routine, 2 times per week
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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