Skin Test Instructions

Patient Instructions for Allergy Testing

In order to evaluate the allergy tests accurately, certain medications should not be taken for 3-7 days before the skin tests are performed. These medications include antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants and H2 Antagonists. The following list contains most of them.

Antihistamine (Trade Name) (Avoid for 3 days prior to skin testing):

Actifed, Alka Seltzer, Alavert, Allermax, Allerest, Anafranil, Antivert, A.R.M., Atrohist, Benadryl, Bonine, Bromfed, Brompheniramine, Cardec, Chlorafed, Chlor-Trimeton, Cimetidine, Clemastine, Clistin, Codimal, Comhist, Contact, Coricidin, Co-Tylenol, Dayquil, Deconamine, Demazin, Dimetane, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Dristan, Drixoral, Extendryl, Fedahist, Formula 44, Histalet Forte, Isochlor, Kronofed-A, Meclizine, Naldecon, Nolamine, Novafed, Nyquil, Optimine, Ornade, PBZ, Pedia Care, Periactin, Phenergan, Polaramine, Poly-Histine, Promethazine, PV Tussin, Rhinolar, Rondec, Ru-Tuss, Rynatan, Semprex, Sinarest, Sine-off, Sinubid, Sudafed-Plus, Tavist, Triaminic, Trinalin, Unisom

Antihistamine (Generic) (Avoid for 3 days prior to skin testing):

Acrivastine, Azatidine, Brompheniramine, Carbinaxamne, Cetirizine, Chlorpheniramine, Clemastine, Cyproheptadine, Dexbrompheniramine, Dexchlorpheiramine, Diphenhydramine, Doxylamine, Fexofenidine, Hydroxizine, Loratadine, Meclizine, Phenidamine, Pheniramine, Phenyltoloxamine, Promethazine, Pyrilamine, Tripelennamine, Tripolidine

Medications to avoid for 7 days prior to skin testing:

Allegra or Allegra D (Fexofendadine), Claritin or Claritin D (Loratidine), Clarinex or Clarinex D, Hydroxyzine, Vistaril, Xyxal (Levocetirizine), Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

The following medications should NOT be stopped but will interfere with skin testing. Please plan on attending your appointment to discuss other testing options with the doctor:

Amitriptyline, Atarax, Chlorpromazine, Clomipramine, Compazine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Elavil, Fluphorazine, Imipramine, Limbitrol, Norpramin, Nortriptyline, Pamelor, Perphenazine, Prochlorperazine, Stelazine, Surmontil, Thorazine, Tofranil, Trifluoperazine, Trimipramine, Vivactil

H2 Antagonists (Generic and Trade Name):

Axid, Cimetidine, Famitidine, Nizatidine, Pepcid, Ranitidine, Tagamet, Zantac