Test Code FENTS Fentanyl, Serum
Reporting Name
Fentanyl and Metabolites, SPerforming Laboratory

Useful For
Monitoring fentanyl therapy
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
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: 2.3 mL
Collection Instructions: Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
1.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum Red | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days | |
Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Reference Values
Fentanyl:
Average serum fentanyl concentrations 24 hours after application of transdermal patch:
25 mcg/hour: 0.3-1.2 ng/mL
50 mcg/hour: 0.6-1.8 ng/mL
75 mcg/hour: 1.1-2.6 ng/mL
100 mcg/hour: 1.9-3.8 ng/mL
(Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemical in Man. 12th ed. Biomedical Publications; 2020)
Norfentanyl:
Reference range: Not established
Cutoff concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry:
Fentanyl: 0.05 ng/mL
Norfentanyl: 0.25 ng/mL
Interpretation
Both fentanyl and norfentanyl are reported.
Tolerant individuals may require many-fold increases in dose to achieve the same level of analgesia, which can greatly complicate interpretation of therapeutic drug monitoring results and establishment of a therapeutic window.
Concentration at which toxicity occurs varies and should be interpreted in light of clinical situation.
Day(s) Performed
Tuesday, Thursday
Report Available
2 to 7 daysTest Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
G0480
80354 (if appropriate for select payers)
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FENTS | Fentanyl and Metabolites, S | 81275-0 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
31829 | Norfentanyl | 11074-2 |
31830 | Fentanyl | 3636-8 |
31832 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.