ACETAMINOPHEN Mnemonic ACET Synonym Tylenol® - Phenacetin® - Tempra® - Paracetamol Specimen Collection Requirements Patient Preparation Specimens should not be collected less than 4 hours after ingestion. Collect Serum or Plasma, one 5.0 mL gold (SST) or 3.0 mL mint green (lithium heparin, PST) top tube Draw at least 4 hours post dose For toxic ingestion: rpt. in 4 hrs. Handling Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature (minimum: 30 minutes). Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP. Preferred Volume 1.0 mL Minimum Volume 0.5 mL Plasma/Serum, (Whole Blood 0.6 mL minimum draw) Transport Refrigerated (2-8°C) Rejection Criteria Grossly hemolyzed specimens Stability AFTER SEPARATION FROM CELLS: Ambient (20-25°:C): 8 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 30 days; Frozen (at or below -20°C): 2 months Testing Information Note Two levels are needed to assess potential toxicity. Performed 7 days/week Reported 24 hours Method Enzymatic Reference Values Therapeutic Range 10-30 µg/mL 5-20 µg/mL (2 hours post dose) Toxic Levels >200 µg/mL (4 hours post dose)>50 µg/mL (12 hours post dose) CPT Codes 82003 Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:41:54 AM