List of antihistamines to avoid for 5 days prior to allergy testing

Please avoid the following medications for 5 days prior to allergy testing. These medications have antihistamine properties. If you are unable to withhold these medications, or if your physician instructs you NOT to stop these medications prior to your clinic appointment, please call our office for additional instructions.

List of antihistamines to avoid for 5 days prior to allergy testing

Oral anti-histamines:

• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Desloratadine (Clarinex)
• Fexofendaine (Allegra)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril)
• Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Many OTC cough and cold syrups and pills usually contain an anti-histamine (Actifed, Dimetapp, Drixoral, Triaminic)
• Prescription cough and cold syrups and pills usually contain an antihistamine

Oral reflux medicines that have anti-histamine activity:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Nizatidine (Axid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)

Nasal Sprays that contain antihistamines:

• Astelin
• Astepro
• Patanase

Eye Drops that contain anti-histamines:

• Pataday
• Patanol
• Elestat
• Optivar
• Livostin

Antidepressant and sleeping medicines that have anti-histamine activity:

• Amitriptyline (Elavil)
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor, Aventyl)
• Clomipramine (Anafril)
• Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Doxepin (Sinequan)
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Doxylamine (Unisom)

Anti-nausea medicines:

• Meclizine (Antivert)
• Prochlorperazine (Compazine)
• Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)
• Scopolamine transdermal patches

If you have any questions about the information above or help with filling out the forms above, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.