Initial Visit and Antihistamines
Typically, when a New Patient comes in for their initial visit, they are here for a minimum of 2 hours and they get allergy testing done (skin scratch test and sometimes intradermal needles), which also depends on their diagnosis and reason for being referred to us. About 80% of New Patients get allergy testing done, in which case, if they are on Antihistamines, they need to be stopped either 3 days or 7 days prior to the appointment (again, depending on the type of antihistamine they are taking). The patient has a consult the first half of the appointment with the provider which is when they discuss what is going on and what to be tested for. The testing (if patient is having testing done) will happen the second part of the appointment. This also applies to all skin testing and oral challenges.
Antihistamines
Stop 7 days prior
- Allavert (Loratadine)
- Allegra Products (Fexofenadine)
- Atarax/Vistaril (Hydroxine)
- Claritin Products (Loratidine)
- Clarinex Products
- Dimetapp-ND
- Doxepin
- Xyzal (Levocetrizine)
- Zyrtec Products (Cetirazine)
- Motion Sickness/Nausea: Meclizine, Phenergan, Dramamine
Stop 3 days prior
- Allerest
- Azelastine
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
- Contac
- Chlor-Trimeton (Chlorpheniramine)
- Optimine
- Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
- Xyzal (Levocetrizine)
- Sudafed Plus
- Tavist Products (Clemastine)
- Antacids such as Alka Seltzer Plus, Zantac, Pepcid
- Cold and Cough Medicines: Nyquil, Tylenol PM, Triaminic
- Nasal Sprays: Astelin, Astepro, Drixoral, Patanase
- Sleep Aids: Zzzquil, Unisom
** This applies to New Patient, Oral Challenges and Skin Testing appointments.
To get accurate results, please do not take any long acting antihistamines for the seven days prior to your appointment and short acting for three. lease be aware that various sleep or cold medications contain antihistamines, and these need to be stopped as well. See list below.
Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), some psychiatric medications and certain ulcer medications (Zantac, Pepcid, Axid and Tagament) may affect skin testing. Many psychiatric medications need to be stopped 3-7 days before testing and most ulcer and reflux medications (except Prilosec, Prevacid, Omeprazole, Nexium, etc.) should be stopped 1 day before testing. Please contact your prescribing physician before stopping these medications. If you have any questions, please call us. If you feel you cannot stop one of the above medications without becoming sick, you may remain on your medication.
Medications that need NOT be stopped prior to your appointment:
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Oral and inhaled corticosteroids (e.g. Prednisone, Medrol, Vanceril, Azmacort, Beclovent, AeroBid, Pulmicort, Advair, Flovent, QVAR, Nasocort, Rhinocort, Vancenase, Flonase, Nasonex, Veramyst, etc.)
- Antibiotics
- Pure Theophylline preparations (e.g. Slo-Bid, Uniphyl, Theo-Dur, Quibron)
- Bronchodilator inhalers (e.g. Proventil, Ventolin, Serevent, Maxair, Atrovent, Foradil, etc.)
- Cromolyn Sodium (e.g. Intal) and Nedocromil Sodium (e.g.Tilade)
- Singulair