Below is a list of common medications that you should temporarily stop taking before allergy testing. However, always consult with your healthcare provider before stopping any prescribed medication.
Antihistamines
Over-the-counter antihistamines:
- Benadryl
- Claritin
- Zyrtec
- Allegra
- Cetirizine (Aller-Tec, Equate Allergy, Zyrtec)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra, Aller-Fex, Wal-Fex)
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
- Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)
Prescription antihistamines:
- Hydroxyzine (Vistaril, Atarax)
- Cyproheptadine (Periactin)
- Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- Azatadine (Trinalin)
- Bepotastine (Bepreve)
- Brompheniramine (Actifed, Bromfed, Dimetane DX, Dimetapp, DuraTan, Lodrane D)
- Carbinoxamine (Arbinoxa, Karbinal ER, Palgic, Ryvent)
- Chlorcyclizine (Dallergy)
- Chlorpheniramine (Advil Allergy, Aerokid, AH-Chew II, Aller-Chlor, Allerest PE, AllerTan, Atrohist, Comtrex, Corcidin, ChlorTan D, Chlor-Trimeton,
- Duradryl, Durahist PE, Histab Ph, Histussin HC, Novahistine, Pedia Care Cold/Allergy, Rescon, Sudafed PE Sinus & Allergy, TussiCaps)
- Clemastine (Dayhist, Tavist)
- Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)
- Diphenhydramine (Advil PM, Alka-Seltzer PM, Benadryl, Dytan, Excedrin PM, Hydramine, Nytol, Simply Sleep, Sominex, Tylenol PM, ZzzQuil)
- Promethazine (Phenadoz, Phenergan, Promethegan)
Decongestants
Combination allergy medications with decongestants:
- Claritin-D
- Zyrtec-D
- Allegra-D
- Corticosteroids
- Oral corticosteroids:
- Prednisone (consult with your doctor before stopping)
Nasal corticosteroids:
- Flonase
- Nasonex
- Rhinocort
- Nasacort (consult with your doctor before stopping)
Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants:
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Despiramine (Norpramine)
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Trimipramine (Surmontil)
Doxepin (Adapin, Silenor, Sinequan)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):
- Phenelzine (Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Other antidepressants:
- Mirtazapine (Remeron)
- Quetiapine (Seroquel)
- Trazodone (Desyrel, Desyrel Dividose, Oleptro, Trazodone D.)
- Risperidone (Risperdal)
Heartburn and Acid Reflux Medications
H2 blockers:
- Ranitidine (Zantac)
- Famotidine (Duexis, Pepcid)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Nizatidine (Axid)
- Asthma Medications
- Montelukast (Singulair)
- Zafirlukast (Accolate)
Other Medications That May Affect Allergy Testing
- Benztropine
- Dicyclomine (Bentyl)
- Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Driminate, Triptone)
- Doxylamine (Bonjesta, Diclegis, Nyquil Cold & Flu, Unisom, Vicks)
- Olopatadine (Pataday, Patanase)
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro)
- Triprolidine (Tropohist)
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Certain herbal supplements
Since each patient’s needs vary, always discuss medication adjustments with your doctor before stopping any treatment. If you have questions or need guidance, consult with your allergist before your scheduled test.
