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Medication Restrictions for Skin Testing

Skin testing

Before Your Appointment

Some medications can affect your skin testing results. Please review the list below for medications to stop before your visit.

  • If you cannot stop a medication, let your provider know at your appointment.

  • If you take daily oral steroids, contact us to see if any changes are needed.

  • Keep this sheet for reference. This list is not all-inclusive — contact your provider with any questions.

A gloved provider presses a multi-test skin prick applicator onto a patient's marked forearm.

1 week before

Stop taking 1 week before your appointment

  • Axid (Nizatidine)
  • Elavil/Vanatrip (Amitriptyline)**
  • Oleptro, Desyrel (Trazadone)
  • Pepcid (Famotidine)
  • Tagamet (Cimetidine)
  • Zantac (Ranitidine)

If it is not possible to stop these medications before your visit, please contact our office so that we may substitute another medication before your scheduled appointment.

Call (866) 793-1680

5 days before

Stop taking 5 days before your appointment

Prescription Medications or Over-the-Counter Antihistamines:

  • Allegra (Fexofenadine)
  • AlleRx
  • Antivert/Bonine (Meclizine)
  • Astelin/Astepro (Azelastine)
  • Atarax/Vistaril (Hydroxyzine)
  • Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
  • Bromfed/Dimetapp Allergy(BrompheniramineChlorpheniramineCardec (DM) Chlor-TrimetonDeconamine ExtendrylNasohist B RhinosynSudafed Plus Triaminic
  • Clarinex (Desloratadine)
  • Claritin/Alavert (Loratadine)
  • Dexchlor ER (Dexchlorpheniramine)
  • Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)
  • Dymista (Azelastine & Fluticasone)
  • Optimine (Azatadine)
  • Pelamine
  • Periactin (Cyproheptadine)
  • Phenergan (Promethazine)
  • Polaramine (Dexchlorpheniramine)
  • Rynatan
  • Tavist-D (Clemastine)
  • Triplen (Tripelennamine)
  • Xyzal (Levocetirizine)
  • Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

Combination Medications*:

  • Tylenol Cold & Sinus/
    Pain/PM medications
  • Vicks Formula 44 (Doxylamine)
  • Vicks Multi-Symptom Nyquil

Sleep Aids & Antidepressants**:

  • Anafranil
  • Desipiramine
  • Desyrel
  • Doxepin
  • Nortriptyline
  • Sinequan

Herbal Supplements

Discontinue ALL herbal supplements 5 days prior to testing. Contact your provider if you have questions regarding specific supplements.

Various supplements including Vitamin C, probiotics, butterbur, St. John’s Wort, etc., may have an impact on skin testing results.

* Cold & sleep aid medications may contain antihistamines.

** These medications should not be modified without talking to your prescribing physician. Please notify the clinic in advance if you are taking any of these medications.

No need to stop

Okay to continue taking

  • Aciphex (Rabeprazole)
  • All asthma inhalers
  • Most non-drowsy medications
  • Mucinex (Guaifenesin)
  • Nasal sprays
    (except Astelin and Dymista)
  • Nexium (Esomeprazole)
  • Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
  • Prilosec (Omeprazole)
  • Protonix (Pantoprazole)
  • Singulair (Montelukast)
  • Sudafed (Pseudoephedrine)

Keep this sheet for reference. This list is not all-inclusive — contact your provider with any questions.

Medication Restrictions for Skin TestingPDF · printable handout

Next step

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