Antihistamines
To be held before new patient allergy appointments or skin testing visits
Stop these oral antihistamines for 5 days prior to your appointment:
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Allegra (fexofenadine)
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Claritin, Alavert (loratadine)
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Clarinex (desloratadine)
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Zyrtec (cetirizine)
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Xyzal (levocetirizine)
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Actifed, Dimetapp (brompheniramine)
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Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
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Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
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Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
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Phenergan (promethazine)
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Tavist, Antihist (clemastine)
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Actifed, Aller-Chlor, Bromfed, Drixoral, Dura-tab, Novafed, Ornade, Poly-histine-D, Trinalin (combination medications), or other OTC or prescription cold or allergy remedies
If you are taking an oral antihistamine that is not listed, stop the medication at least 3 days prior to your appointment. If you are unsure whether a medication you are taking is an antihistamine, please call the office: 631.727.8050.
Nasal antihistamines (Astelin, Astepro, or Patanase) should be stopped 3 days prior to your appointment.
Stop H2 blockers (Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid, Axid) 48 hours prior to your appointment, after discussing with the prescribing physician.
Some antidepressants can act as antihistamines. Please notify the physician if you are taking an antidepressant medication prior to your skin testing.
Tell our office, before your appointment, if you are taking oral steroids (prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, cortef), or if you have recently been given a steroid injection.
Continue to take all other medications as you usually do. Singulair and nasal steroids (Nasonex, Veramyst, Flonase, etc) will not interfere with testing.
Continue all asthma inhalers!
If you are being seen for hives or eczema, you may not be able to be allergy tested on your first visit. In this case, you may want to continue your antihistamines for comfort.
