Medications to Avoid Prior to Skin Testing

Medications that contain antihistamines interfere with skin testing results. Therefore, please refer to the list below. They are often used to treat cold and allergy symptoms.

In general, we ask that you try to avoid these medications for 3 to 5 days prior to your appointment. If you are very sick and can’t avoid these medications, you should keep your appointment anyway - we may be able to replace your medications with ones that don’t affect the skin testing results.

As a rule, asthma medications do not affect skin testing results (e.g. singular, inhalers) and should be continued. Also, single-ingredient decongestant preparations (e.g. Sudafed, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine) can be taken. All Nasal sprays can be used except Astelin, Astepro, and Patanase. If there are any questions about a certain medication, please speak to your pharmacist or our nursing staff.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WITH ANTIHISTAMINES 

ALLEGRA         (FEXOFENADINE)                     EYE DROPS                 NASAL SPRAYS          
XYZAL               (LEVOCETIRIZINE)                   PATANOL                     ASTEPRO        
CLARINEX       (DESLORATIDINE)                    OPTIVAR                      ASTELIN          
ATARAX            (HYDROXYZINE)                        ZADITOR                      PATANASE      
TANAFED DMX                                                      PATADAY                                
TUSSIONEX                                                          ELESTAT                                 
PALGIC                                                                       
TUSSI-12 DS     (PYRILAMINE)                                                  
BROMFED         (BROMPHENIRAMINE)
RONDEC SYRUP                                                                     
PROMETHAZINE WITH CODEINE                                                                     
NALDECON
DURATUSS AC                                                            
SEMPREX D      (ACRIVASTINE)                                                
ALLERX              (CHLORPHENIRAMINE)                                                
RYNATAN           (CHLORPHENIRAMINE)                                                            
PBZ                      (TRIPELENNAMINE)
PHENERGAN    (PROMETHAZINE)                                            
TAVIST                                                
PERIACTIN        (CYPROHEPTADINE)                                                   
VISTARIL     

OVER THE COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINES

ZYRTEC             (CETIRIZINE)                                        
CLARITIN           (LORATADINE)                                     
BENADRYL        (DIPHENHYDRAMINE)                                     
ALAVERT            (LORATADINE)                                     
ACTIFED             (TRIPROLIDINE)
SUDAFED SINUS/ALLERGY                                                    
NYQUIL                                                           
TYLENOL PM                                                   
TYLENOL COLD