Medications to Stop Before Testing
To ensure accurate results, please stop taking the following medications 4 days before your allergy skin test, if possible. Some medications can affect the accuracy of allergy skin tests. However, it’s crucial to consult your doctor before stopping any medication, especially psychiatric medications, as sudden discontinuation can lead to serious side effects.
Antihistamines:
- Accolate (Zafirleukast)
- Actifed, Dimetapp (Brompheniramine)
- Atarax, Vistaril (Hydroxyzine)
- Allegra (Fexofenadine)
- Antivert (Meclizine)
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
- Chlortrimetron (Chlorpheniramine)
- Claritin (Loratidine)
- Clarinex (Desloratidine)
- Compazine (Prochlorperazine)
- Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)
- Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
- Phenergan (Promethazine)
- Reglan (Metoclopramide)
- Singulair (Montelukast)
- Tavist, Antihist (Clemastine)
- Xyzal (Levocetirizine)
- Zyflo (Zileuton)
- Zyrtec (Cetirazine)
All allergy eye drops (prescription and over-the-counter):
- Alaway
- Ketotifen
- Opcon A
- Naphcon A
- Pataday
- Refresh
- Similasin
- Visine
- Zatidor
Nasal sprays:
- Astelin (Azelastin)/Astepro
- Dymista Patanase (Olopatidine)
Over-the-counter cold, cough, or flu medications:
Most over-the-counter cold, cough, and flu medications contain antihistamines. Common brands include:
- Advil PM
- Alka Seltzer
- Coricidin
- Mucinex
- Nyquil
- Robitussin
- Sudafed
- Theraflu
- Tylenol PM
- Zicam
Stomach pills and acid suppressors:
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Famotidine (Pepcid & Pepcid Complete)
- Nizatidine (Axid)
Supplements:
- Nettle (herbal medication)
- Quercetin
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications:
Certain psychiatric medications may interfere with allergy skin test results. To ensure accurate results, it’s best to consult with your doctor about potentially pausing these medications for a 4 days before your test. Remember, it’s important to prioritize your mental health and avoid sudden medication changes without medical advice.
- Amitryptyline (Elavil)
- Amoxapine (Asendin)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Desipramine (Nupramin)
- Doxepin (Sinequnan)
- Imipramine (Tofranil)
- Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Nefazodone (Serzone)
- Nortiptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
- Protriptyline (Vivactil)
- Trazadone (Desyrel)
- Trimipramine (Surmontil)
If you have any questions about which medications to stop or any concerns about potential side effects, please contact our clinic at 714-919-9057.