Pathology Handbook

Recent changes for 5 Flucytosine
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
20th October 2024	Preferred Specimen Type	Plasma	Blood
	Optional Specimen Type	Serum
30th May 2024	Alternative names	Flucytosine	Flucytosine, 5FC

Alternative Names:

Flucytosine
5FC

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Code:

5FC

Specimen Types:

Blood

Container Types:

Lithium Heparin (with Gel)
SST

Adults Volume or Mass:

1 mL

Minimum/Paediatric Volume or Mass:

1 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

Melbourne Health Pathology(RMH) perfoms 5FC testing on Tuesday and Thursdays.

Cut-off time for RMH to receive the 5FC samples for analysis is 1200 hrs.

Transport Instructions between Sites and/or Laboratories:

On Ice

External Laboratory:

Melbourne Health Shared Pathology Service

Additional Notes:

5 FC Therapeutic range:

Mean steady-state levels of 35-70 mg/L recommended for effective antifungal therapy. Levels >100 mg/L may be associated with bone marrow toxicity.

If Trough and Peak levels are measured- aim for a trough level of 25-50 mg/L and peak 30-80 mg/L