Preparing For Your Allergy Test
We want to make sure your appointment is as successful as possible, which is why we ask that you avoid taking certain medications that may interfere with the effectiveness of your allergy test before coming in.
Wear short sleeves to your testing appointment.
At Least Five (5) Days Before Your Test
Please be sure to stop taking the following medications at least 5 days prior to your appointment:
Anti-Histamine Pills: Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin or Alavert (loratadine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Xyzal (Levocetirizine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Hydroxyzine, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Benadryl.
OTC or Prescription Eye Drops: especially ones for allergies. If you use eye drops for glaucoma, they shouldn’t be stopped without the Prescriber’s permission.
Nasal Sprays: Astelin or Astepro (Azelastine), Dymista, or Patanase (Olopatadine) hold 3 days prior.
OTC Sleep Aids: Any ‘PM’ medication such as Tylenol PM and other similar medications.
Please avoid any medicated creams.
Acid Blockers (heartburn meds): Zantac (Ranitidine), Pepcid (Famotidine), Axid (Nizatidine), Tagamet (cimetidine).
Supplements: Stop supplements that contain licorice, green tea, saw palmetto, St. John’s Wort, Feverfew
Miscellaneous: Tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and atypical antidepressants.
Examples include: Trazodone, Doxepin (Sinequan), Elavil (Amitriptyline), Pamelor (Nortriptyline) Anafranil (Clomipramine), Seroquel (Quetiapine). Some of these meds are for mood and should be discussed with the Prescriber first before adjusting dose or discontinuation.
If you find it difficult to stop taking allergy medications for 5 days due to ongoing symptoms, you can take Benadryl, Patanase (i.e. nose spray), and/or Pataday (i.e. eye drops) up to 3 days before your appointment.
Additionally, if you are taking any prescription medications, please discuss with your healthcare Provider.
Beta Blockers
Beta Blockers must be stopped 24 hours prior to your allergy test.
Please do not stop taking them without approval from your prescriber.
Examples include: Coreg (Carvedilol), Toprol (Metoprolol), Tenormin (Atenolol), Bystolic, Bisoprolol, Acebutolol, Labetalol, Nadolol, Sotalol, Esmolol.
Medications you CAN take
Asthma Inhalers: Any asthma or COPD Inhaler (inhaled into the lungs) should be continued. We do not want you to have trouble breathing for your allergy testing!
Nasal Sprays: Any nasal sprays other than those listed above.
Anti-inflammatories: Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, Aspirin.
Sinus & Allergy: Singulair (Montelukast), Plain Mucinex, Plain Sudafed, Plain Robitussin, or Delsym. Make sure there is no antihistamine!
Antidepressants: SSRIs/SNRIs: Lexapro, Celexa/Citalopram, Paxil/Paroxetine, Prozac/Fluoxetine, Zoloft/Sertraline.
Acid Reflux: PPIs: Nexium (esomeprazole), Prilosec (Omeprazole), Protonix (Pantoprazole), Aciphex
Have You Experienced A Severe Reaction?
Please let us know if you have ever been to the emergency room or used an Epipen for a severe allergic reaction of any kind.
Pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Could you be pregnant? If you answered yes please contact our office at 512-628-5989.
After Your Allergy Test
Avoid strenuous exercise for the remainder of the day after testing.
Still Have Questions?
Contact our office, and we will gladly walk you through any and all questions you may have.
Download the medication list HERE.