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HelpMayo Test ID SFZ Sulfamethoxazole, Serum
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: Red top (gel tubes/SST are not acceptable)
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Serum for a peak level should be collected 60 minutes after dose.
2. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Useful For
Monitoring sulfamethoxazole therapy to ensure drug absorption, clearance, or compliance
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reporting Name
Sulfamethoxazole, SSpecimen Type
Serum RedSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Clinical Information
Sulfamethoxazole is a sulfonamide antibiotic that is administered in conjunction with another antibacterial, trimethoprim. These agents are used to treat a variety of infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and for prophylaxis in immunosuppressed patients, such as individuals who are HIV positive.
Therapeutic drug monitoring is not commonly performed unless there are concerns about adequate absorption, clearance, or compliance. Monitoring of sulfamethoxazole is indicated only when prolonged (>3 months) therapy is required.
Sulfamethoxazole is absorbed readily after oral administration, with peak serum concentration occurring 1 to 4 hours after an oral dose. Its average elimination half-life is approximately 10 hours. Toxicity includes crystalluria with resultant calculi and kidney disease. Toxicity is due to a high concentration of acetylated, relatively insoluble forms of the drug. Excess fluid should be taken with sulfamethoxazole to avoid formation of urine sulfonamide crystals.
Reference Values
>50 mcg/mL (Peak)
Interpretation
Peak concentrations of sulfamethoxazole should be obtained 1 hour after the end of an intravenous dose or 2 to 3 hours after an oral dose, while peak concentrations of trimethoprim can be collected at least 1 hour after an oral dose. Serum drug concentrations should be interpreted with respect to the minimal inhibitory concentration of targeted organisms. Most patients will display peak steady-state serum concentrations greater than 50 mcg/mL when collected at least 1 hour after an oral dose. Target concentrations may be higher, depending on the intent of therapy.
For Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP pneumonia), peak concentrations: 100-150 mcg/mL
Toxicity: >200 mcg/mL
Toxicity (formation of urinary crystals) associated with sulfamethoxazole occurs with prolonged exposure to serum concentrations greater than 125 mcg/mL.
Trimethoprim: Most patients will display peak steady-state serum concentrations of more than 2.0 mcg/mL when the specimen is collected at least 1 hour after an oral dose. Target concentrations may be higher depending on the intent of therapy.
Cautions
Specimens collected in serum gel tubes are not acceptable, as the drug can absorb on the gel and lead to falsely decreased concentrations.
Clinical Reference
1. Hughes WT, Feldman S, Chaudhary SC, Ossi MJ, Cox F, Sanyal SK. Comparison of pentamidine isethionate and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. J Pediatr. 1978;92(2):285-291. doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(78)80028-6
2. Dao BD, Barreto JN, Wolf RC, Dierkhising RA, Plevak MF, Tosh PK. Serum peak sulfamethoxazole concentrations demonstrate difficulty in achieving a target range: a retrospective cohort study. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2014;76:104-109. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2014.08.003
3. Young T, Oliphant C, Araoyinbo I, Volmink J. Co-trimoxazole prophylaxis in HIV: the evidence. S Afr Med J. 2008;98(4):258-259
4. Avdic E, Cosgrove SE. Management and control strategies for community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008;9(9):1463-1479. doi:10.1517/14656566.9.9.1463
5. Kamme C, Melander A, Nilsson N. Serum and saliva concentrations of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in adults in children: relation between saliva concentrations and in vitro activity against nasopharyngeal pathogens. Scand J Infect Dis. 1983;15(1):107-113. doi:10.3109/inf.1983.15.issue-1.18
6. Brunton LL, Hilal-Dandan R, Knollmann BC, eds. Goodman, Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 13th ed. McGraw-Hill Publishing; 2018
Method Description
Samples are extracted with analyte detection by tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) Performed
Monday, Thursday
Report Available
2 to 5 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
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
80299
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SFZ | Sulfamethoxazole, S | 10342-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8238 | Sulfamethoxazole, S | 10342-4 |