Medications to Avoid Prior To Allergy Testing
Antihistamines to avoid prior to allergy testing:
Oral antihistamines—do NOT take for at least 5 days prior to testing:
Prescription oral antihistamines:
AlleRx | chlorpheniramine |
Atarax | hydroxyzine |
Clarinex | desloratadine |
Naldecon | chlorpheniramine |
Periactin | ciproheptadine |
Rynatan | chlorpheniramine |
Vistaril | hydroxyzine |
Non-prescription oral antihistamines:
Actifed | chlorpheniramine |
Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Allergy | doxylamine |
Allegra, Allegra D, Aller-Fex, & other brands | fexofenadine |
Allerest | doxylamine |
A.R.M Allergy relief | chlorpheniramine |
Benadryl | diphenhydramine |
Zyrtec, Zyrtec, D, Aller-Tec, & other brands | cetirizine |
Chlor-Trimeton | chlorpheniramine |
Claritin, Claritin D, Alavert, AllerClear, & other brands | loratadine |
Comtrex Multi-Symptom | chlorpheniramine |
Coricedin | chlorpheniramine |
Dimetane | brompheniramine |
Dimetapp | brompheniramine |
Drixoral | dexbrompheniramine |
Mucinex Sinus-Max Nighttime | diphenhydramine |
Sinarest | chlorpheniramine |
Sudafed PE Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief | chlorpheniramine |
Tavist | clemastine |
Triaminic Allergy | diphenhydramine |
Tylenol Allergy Sinus/Tylenol PM | diphenhydramine |
Vicks Nyquil | doxylamine |
Xyzal | levocetirizine |
Nasal antihistamines—do NOT take for at least 3 days prior to testing
Nasal antihistamines:
Astelin | azelastine |
Astepro | azelastine |
Patanase | olopatadine |
Other nose sprays (i.e. intranasal corticosteroids) are okay.
NOTE: The above list may not be comprehensive therefore please double check all over-the-counter medications you are taking, especially sleep aids and night-time cough/cold medications to ensure they do not contain antihistamines. If you are uncertain, please check with us.
REMINDER: Please notify our office prior to your visit if you are currently taking any blood pressure medications (specifically beta-blockers) or are using any eye drops to treat glaucoma.
If you have any questions regarding medications or testing, please do not hesitate to call our office at 212-729-1283 or e-mail us at info@hudsonallergy.com.