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Test Code AMPAS Amphetamine Panel, Serum


Ordering Guidance


This test should only be ordered by healthcare professionals to monitor patients who have been prescribed amphetamines or identify misuse/abuse.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Red top (Serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL Serum

Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Secondary ID

623598

Useful For

Confirming drug exposure involving amphetamine-like stimulants such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA)

Method Name

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Reporting Name

Amphetamine Panel, S

Specimen Type

Serum Red

Specimen Minimum Volume

Serum: 0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Red Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  15 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Clinical Information

Amphetamines are sympathomimetic amines that stimulate the central nervous system and, in part, suppress the appetite. Phentermine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine are prescription drugs for weight loss and, in the case of the later 2 drugs, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. All the other amphetamines (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine [MDA], 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA], 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine [MDEA]) are Class I (distribution prohibited) compounds.

 

Because of their stimulant effects, the drugs are commonly sold illicitly and abused. Physiological symptoms associated with very high amounts of ingested amphetamine or methamphetamine include elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, hyperthermia, convulsions, and acute amphetamine psychosis.

Reference Values

Therapeutic range and metabolite information (as applicable):

Methamphetamine: 10-50 ng/mL

 

Amphetamine: 20-30 ng/mL

Amphetamine is a separate prescribable drug as well as the metabolite of methamphetamine.

 

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Not Applicable

3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA): Not Applicable

3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA): Not Applicable

MDA is a separate drug and also a metabolite of MDEA and MDMA.

 

Cutoff concentrations:

Methamphetamine: 5.0 ng/mL

Amphetamine: 5.0 ng/mL

MDMA: 5.0 ng/mL

MDA: 5.0 ng/mL

MDEA: 5.0 ng/mL

Interpretation

Clinically, the presence of amphetamines in serum can be used to verify adherence or compliance and discourage drug misuse, abuse, and diversion.

CPT Code Information

G0480

80324 (if appropriate for select payers)

80359 (if appropriate for select payers)

Clinical Toxicology CPT Code Client Guidance

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
AMPAS Amphetamine Panel, S In Process

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
623599 Methamphetamine 3778-8
623600 Amphetamine 30112-7
623601 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-MDMA 18356-6
623602 Methylenedioxyamphetamine-MDA 59837-5
623603 Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine-MDEA 33016-7