Test Catalog

Test Id : SFZ

Sulfamethoxazole, Serum

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Monitoring sulfamethoxazole therapy to ensure drug absorption, clearance, or compliance

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Sulfamethoxazole, S

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Bactrim (order both tests)

Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim)

Gantanol (Sulfamethoxazole)

SEPTRA (Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim)

Sulfamethoxazole

Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim (Bactrim, SEPTRA)

Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, SEPTRA)

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Serum Red

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

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.

Forms

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

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

0.5 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Red Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
Ambient 28 days
Frozen 28 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Monitoring sulfamethoxazole therapy to ensure drug absorption, clearance, or compliance

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

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
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

>50 mcg/mL (Peak)

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

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
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

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
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

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
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Samples are extracted with analyte detection by tandem mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday, Thursday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

2 to 5 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

80299

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
SFZ Sulfamethoxazole, S 10342-4
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
8238 Sulfamethoxazole, S 10342-4

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports

Test Update Resources

Change Type Effective Date
Test Changes - Specimen Information 2024-08-14