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Test Code
VENL
Test Name
Venlafaxine, Quantitative, Whole Blood
CPT Codes
AMA 80338, CMS G0480
Expected Turnaround Time
5 - 7 days
Clinical Utility

Venlafaxine is used to treat depression. Routine therapeutic blood monitoring is not indicated. This test may be useful in identifying noncompliance and/or toxicity.

Useful in determining the use or abuse of Venlafaxine.

Testing includes identification and quantitation of:

  • Venlafaxine
  • O-Desmethylvenlafaxine (Venlafaxine Metabolite)
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)

Venlafaxine + O-Desmethylvenlafaxine

195-400
Limitations

Analyte

Reporting Limit (ng/mL)

Venlafaxine

25

O-desmethylvenlafaxine (Venlafaxine metabolite)

25
Performing Location
Roble Road Core Laboratory
Alternate Names

Effexor
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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