Helpful Information – Asthma Allergy Sinus Center: Gordana Gligoric MD

How to Prepare for Allergy Skin Testing

Stop Taking the following medications prior to skin testing:

Anti-H1 histamines Rx, over-the-counter pills and nasal sprays for about 5 days

Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl & others)
Hydroxyzine (Atarax)
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec & others)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, Optivar, Dymista)
Cyproheptadine (Periactine)
Clemastine
Brompheniramin (Bromphen)
Mequitazone
Mizolastine
Meclizine (Antivert)
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Terfenadine (Seldane)
Astemizole (Hismanal) stop 30 to 60 days prior to skin testing
Anti-H2 histamines Rx and over the counter, certain heartburn medications

Anti H2 histamines, Rx and over-the-counter; certain heartburn medications

Ketotifen 5-7 days
Cimetidine (Tagamet) 1-3 days
Ranitidine (Zantac) 1-3 days
Phenotiazines (Thorazine) 1-5 days

Tricyclic antidepressants
Please contact your prescribing physician before discontinuing these medications, if taken daily
Such as nortriptyline (Pamelor) and desipramine (Norpramin), amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine can interfere with skin testing as well serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Antipsychotics: chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol)

Asthma medication
Omalizumab (Xolair)

Herbal supplements
including: green tea, licorice, saw palmetto, st. John's word, feverfew

If you are unable to restrict these medications as requested, or have any other questions, please let us know.

WHAT ALLERGY MEDICATIONS CAN I TAKE BEFORE TESTING?
You can take nasal steroids and inhalers, such as:
Nasonex
Nasacort AQ
Rhinocort AQ
Flonase
Nasarel
Beconase
Veramyst
Qnasl
Zetonna
Singulair
All inhalers
Prednisone

Allergy Season Tips

It's impossible to completely escape pollen and molds; here are some other ways to lessen exposure:

Keep windows closed and use air-conditioning, if possible. Automobile air conditioners help, too.
Remember to change your home and auto air filters and replace them with high efficiency filters.
Outdoor air usually is most heavily saturated with pollen between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so early morning is a good time to limit outdoor activities. Mold spores, however, are released due to wind, or other activities that stir them up.
Wear a NIOSH-rated 95 filter mask when mowing the lawn, raking leaves or gardening and take appropriate medication beforehand.
Use your allergy medications as prescribed daily to prevent allergy exacerbation.
Do not forget you allergy shot even is you are feeling OK. Remember you need to complete course of treatment in order to benefit from it.