Antihistamines to avoid prior to allergy testing:
Brand Name Medication
Generic Antihistamine Ingredient
Oral antihistamines—do NOT take for at least 5 days prior to testing:
Prescription oral antihistamines:
-
AlleRx chlorpheniramine
-
Atarax hydroxyzine
-
Clarinex desloratadine
-
Naldecon chlorpheniramine
-
Periactin ciproheptadine
-
Rynatan chlorpheniramine
-
Vistaril hydroxyzine
Non-prescription oral antihistamines:
-
Actifed chlorpheniramine
-
Alka-Seltzer Plus Sinus Allergy doxylamine
-
Allegra, Allegra D, Aller-Fex, & other brands fexofenadine
-
Allerest doxylamine
-
A.R.M Allergy relief chlorpheniramine
-
Benadryl diphenhydramine
-
Zyrtec, Zyrtec, D, Aller-Tec, & other brands cetirizine
-
Chlor-Trimeton chlorpheniramine
-
Claritin, Claritin D, Alavert, AllerClear, & other brands loratadine
-
Comtrex Multi-Symptom chlorpheniramine
-
Coricedin chlorpheniramine
-
Dimetane brompheniramine
-
Dimetapp brompheniramine
-
Drixoral dexbrompheniramine
-
Mucinex Sinus-Max Nighttime diphenhydramine
-
Sinarest chlorpheniramine
-
Sudafed PE Sinus + Allergy & Pain Relief chlorpheniramine
-
Tavist clemastine
-
Triaminic Allergy diphenhydramine
-
Tylenol Allergy Sinus/Tylenol PM diphenhydramine
-
Vicks Nyquil doxylamine
-
Xyzal levocetirizine
Nasal antihistamines—do NOT take for at least 3 days prior to testing
Nasal antihistamines:
-
Astelin azelastine
-
Astepro azelastine
-
Patanase olopatadine
Other nose sprays (i.e. intranasal corticosteroids) are okay.
NOTE: The above list may not be comprehensive therefore please double check all over-the-counter medications you are taking, especially sleep aids and night-time cough/cold medications to ensure they do not contain antihistamines. If you are uncertain, please check with us.
REMINDER: Please notify our office prior to your visit if you are currently taking any blood pressure medications (specifically beta-blockers) or are using any eye drops to treat glaucoma.
If you have any questions regarding medications or testing, please do not hesitate to call our office at 646-475-1749 or e-mail us at info@avantny.com.