Amiodarone (Blood)

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Auckland Te Toka Tumai

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Amiodarone (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

AMID

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0806

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Centrifuge and aliquot samples as soon as possible

Laboratory

LabPLUS High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Sample Stability

Store at 4°C for up to 3 days
For longer periods freeze at -20°C

Synonyms

Amiodarone

Turnaround Time

1 week

Performed weekly

Specimen Type

Plasma
Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Plain (Red Top)

Acceptable

EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Plain(Microtainer)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Additional Specimen Information

Tubes containing gel (SST and PST) are NOT acceptable

Diagnostic Use

Amiodarone prolongs the action potential duration and hence the refractory period of atrial, nodal and ventricular tissues, giving it a broad range of activity against all types of arrhythmia.

Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be caused by amiodarone; the TSH levels should be monitored occasionally. Liver function tests should also be monitored before, and periodically during treatment.

Interpretation

The minimum effective dose should be given. Side effects (bradycardia and conductive disturbances), can occur in some patients even within the recommended therapeutic range.

The half life is approximately 50 days (range 20 – 100 days); measurement of blood levels should not be done until 3 months after a change in the dosage regime.

Reference Intervals

The quoted therapeutic range is for trough concentrations; specimens should be collected shortly before administering the next dose of the drug.

Units: mg/L

Therapeutic Range: 0.5-2.6

The active metabolite, Desethylamiodarone, is not used in the interpretation of therapeutic effect.

Desethylamiodarone has steady state levels that are similar to the corresponding Amiodarone levels. As the Amiodarone level decreases faster than that of the metabolite, the level of Desethylamiodarone can be used for assessing the patients compliance.

Test Method

High performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA)

Uncertainty of Measurement

12%

Last updated: 18/06/2026

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Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Additional Specimen Information

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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Amiodarone (Blood)

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Separating

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Additional Specimen Information

Referral

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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