What Do I Need To Do
Before My Environmental Allergy Test?

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.
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Please make sure that you have eaten breakfast and/or lunch prior to your testing appointment. Also, be sure to wear short sleeves to your 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:

• Antihistamine Pills: Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin or Alavert (loratadine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Xyzal (Levocetirizine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Hydroxyzine, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Benadryl.
• Antihistamine Eye Drops: these can be either prescription or OTC. Common medications include Pataday (olopatadine), Zaditor or Alaway (ketotifen), Lastacaft (alcaftadine), Naphcon A, Opcon A, or Visine A (pheniramine) and should be avoided before your allergy test.
• 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, Herbal Supplements, Vitamins: Stop taking all supplements, herbal supplements, and vitamins.

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.

Psychiatric Medications

‍Though not often, psychiatric medications like tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and atypical antidepressants may affect the accuracy of your allergy test. However, we do not ask that you stop taking these medications, as we understand the clinical significance of maintaining these medications on a daily dosing schedule.

Examples include: Trazodone, Doxepin (Sinequan), Elavil (Amitriptyline), Pamelor (Nortriptyline) Anafranil (Clomipramine), Seroquel (Quetiapine).

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.