Interpretive Handbook

Test 8608 :
Bromide, Blood


Bromides are ingested principally as sedatives. They are used outside the United States to treat grand mal and focal epilepsy.


Bromide shares the same volume of distribution as chloride, competes with chloride for renal excretion, and has a blood half-life of 12 to 15 days.


Signs of acute toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Manifestations of chronic toxicity can include lethargy, fatigue, irritability, loss of appetite, tachypnea, skin pigmentation, hallucinations, ataxia, and coma.


Assessing possible toxicity

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Therapeutic concentration: 1,000-2,000 mcg/mL


Toxic concentration: > or =3,000 mcg/mL


No significant cautionary statements


Therapeutic concentration: 1,000-2,000 mcg/mL

Toxic concentration: > or =3,000 mcg/mL


NIH Unit

Therapeutic concentration: 12.5-25.0 mmol/L

Toxic concentration: >27.5 mmol/L


Bowers GN Jr, Onoroski M: Hyperchloremia and the incidence of bromism in 1990 (editorial). Clin Chem 1990;36:1399-1403