Medications to Avoid before Allergy Testing

Discontinue one week prior to allergy testing

1. Antihistamines and Decongestants  (Examples- Atarax, Claritin, Clarinex, Allegra, Zyrtec, Benedryl, Actifed, Sudafed, Dimetap, Tavist, Chlor-Trimeton, and any over the counter cold-sinus-allergy preparations)
2. Anti-inflammatory  (Examples- Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, and Alka-seltzer)
3. Antihistamines H2 blockers  (Examples- Axid, Pepcid, Prevacid, Priolosec, Protonix, Zantac,  Tagamet, Tums, Mylanta, and Rolaids).
4. Antihistamine eye drops  (Example- Patanol)
5. Antiemetics  (Example- Compazine)

 

Discontinue Antidepressants 24 to 72 hours prior to allergy testing

• Trade name (generic name)
• Asendin (Amoxampine)
• Elavil, Endep, Etrafon, Limbitrol, and Vanatrip (Amitriptyline)
• Anaframil (Clomipramine)
• Norpramin (Desipramine)
• Adapin, Sinequan, and Zonalon (Doexpine)
• Tofranil (Imipramine)
• Aventyl Hydrochloride and Pamelor (Nortriptyline)
• Vivactil (Protriptyline)
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)

Predisone (oral corticosteroids) should be discontinued one month prior to allergy testing.

Herbal supplement can interfere with allergy skin whealing responses
Licorice, Green tea, Saw Palmetto, St. John’s Wart, Feverfew, Milk Thistle, and Astragalus.  (Large quantities of other herbals may also interfere, please discuss with your healthcare provider).

The medications listed above may suppress wheal response during allergy skin testing.  These recommendations are guidelines and are not always possible for all patients to discontinue.  Please consult with your healthcare provider for any concerns.