IMPORTANT Information for your upcoming visit:
Antihistamines and decongestants can interfere with skin testing by blocking the allergic response. In order for us to give you accurate test results please stop all prescription and over the counter antihistamines and decongestants PRIOR to your appointment. These medications include:
- cough and cold remedies
- motion sickness medications
- sleep aids
Some antihistamines are longer acting. These must be stopped for 7 days before allergy testing :
- Cetirizine/Zyrtec
- Chlorpheniramine/Chlortrimetron
- Cortisone cream to the arms or back
- Desloratadine/Clarinex
- Doxepin/Sinequan
- Fexofenadine/Allegra
- Hydroxyzine/Atarax/Vistaril
- Loratadine/Claritin/Alavert/or generic
- Levocetirizine/Xyzal
- Cyproheptadine/Periactin
Stop three days before the test:
- Azelastine HCL/Astelin/Astepro
- Olopatadine/Patanase
- Tussinex
- Actifed
- Advil Allergy/Sinus
- Contac
- DayQuil
- Deconamine
- Dimetapp
- Diphenhydramine/Benadryl
- Drixoral
- Duravent DA
- Dura-tap
- Zantac/Rantitidine
All other cough/cold medicines should be stopped two days before the test.
The following medications can interfere with allergy skin testing, but should not be stopped unless under the instruction of the prescribing physician:
- Amitriptyline/Elavil
- Desipramine/Norpramin
- Nortriptyline/Pamelor
- Imipramine/Tofranil
- Trazodone/Desyril
If you are on any beta-blockers (Tenormin/Atenolol, Lopressor/Toprol-XL/Metoprolol, Corgard/Nadolol, Trandate/Labetalol, Inderal/Propranolol, or Normodyne), please contact our office prior to your appointment for further instruction.
DO NOT STOP ANY ASTHMA MEDICATIONS or nasal steroids. Do not stop Singulair. Do not stop any inhalers. Do not stop any blood pressure medications or eye drops, unless this has been arranged with your primary care physician in advance.
Most drugs do not interfere with testing, but make certain that your physician and nurse know about every drug you are taking (bring a list or the drugs if necessary).
Please do not wear perfumes or aftershaves on the day of your appointment as it may be irritating to another patient with respiratory symptoms.
Please do not bring nut containing foods into the office.
Please allow a minimum of 2 hours for this appointment.
