Methylphenidate and Metabolite Quantitative, Serum or Plasma




Test Mnemonic

RITALN

CPT Codes

  • 82542 - QTY (1)
  • 80360 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Ritalin

Includes

  • Methylphenidate
  • Ritalinic Acid

Performing Laboratory

ARUP


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mLSerumNo additive (Red) Frozen, CriticalCRITICAL FROZEN. Collect specimen 1 - 6 hours post dose. Do NOT use separator tubes. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into standard aliquot tube. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mLPlasmaEDTA (Lavender) Frozen, CriticalCRITICAL FROZEN. Collect specimen 1 - 6 hours post dose. Do NOT use separator tubes. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection and transfer into standard aliquot tube. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
0.7 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Frozen5 months
RefrigeratedUnacceptable
AmbientUnacceptable

Days Performed

Varies

Turnaround Time

9 - 12 days

Methodology

Name Description
High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) 

Special Info

CRITICAL FROZEN. Patient Prep: Collect specimen 1 - 6 hours post dose. Separate specimens must be submitted when multiple tests are ordered. Separator tubes are unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved.

Clinical Info

Used for monitoring patient adherence.