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Test Code MPHNU Methylphenidate and Metabolite, Random, Urine

Reporting Name

Methylphenidate and Metabolite, U

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Monitoring urine methylphenidate and ritalinic acid concentrations to assess compliance in patients

Method Name

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


Additional Testing Requirements


If urine creatinine is required or adulteration of the sample is suspected, also order ADULT / Adulterants Survey, Random, Urine. For more information, see ADULT / Adulterants Survey, Random, Urine.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Plastic urine container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.

Additional Information:

1. No specimen substitutions.

2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.

3. Submitting less than 1 mL will compromise the ability to perform all necessary testing.


Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 10 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

Negative

 

Cutoff concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry:

Methylphenidate: 10 ng/mL

Ritalinic Acid: 50 ng/mL

Interpretation

Methylphenidate (MPH) has an oral bioavailability of 22% to 100% with peak concentrations occurring around 2 hours for instant release and approximately 5 to 6 hours for extended-release formulations. The half-life of MPH is 2 to 4 hours. MPH is extensively metabolized to ritalinic acid, which is an inactive metabolite. The half-life of ritalinic acid is about 3 to 4 hours. Only small quantities (<1%) of unchanged MPH appear in the urine as most of the dose (60%-86%) is excreted in the urine as ritalinic acid. The presence of MPH or ritalinic acid in the urine indicates the patient has taken MPH in the past 1 to 2 days.

Day(s) Performed

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Report Available

2 to 4 days

Test 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

80360

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
MPHNU Methylphenidate and Metabolite, U 104676-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
608882 Methylphenidate by LC-MS/MS 20548-4
608883 Ritalinic Acid by LC-MS/MS 72790-9
608884 Methylphenidate Interpretation 69050-3

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.