Tricyclic Antidepressant Drugs (Blood)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

TCAD

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3822

Laboratory Handling

Transport

If sending within Auckland then sample can be sent refrigerated (2-8°C) or at ambient temperature (8-24°C).
If sending from outside Auckland then send sample refrigerated (2-8°C).

Separating

Centrifuge and separate blood as soon as possible after collection

Laboratory

LabPLUS High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Sample Stability

Ambient: 1 week
Refrigerated: 4 weeks
Frozen: 4 weeks

Associated Tests

Synonyms

TCAD, Tricyclic antidepressant, Tricyclic AD

Turnaround Time

1 week

TAT between 1 week and 2 weeks

Specimen Type

  • Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Plain (Red Top)
Acceptable
  • Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

2

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Plain(Microtainer)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

1

Pre-testing Requirements

Ordering recommendation:
Tricyclic antidepressants include amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, imipramine and nortriptyline.

Please specify drug of interest on request form.

Please note Dothiepin and Doxepin levels are no longer available.

Additional Specimen Information

Tubes containing gel (SST and PST) are NOT acceptable

Last updated: 06/08/2026