Please read the following information. 

If you have questions, please call the allergy department. Please allow about 60-90 minutes for a new Allergy appointment. 
 
 

DAY OF TESTING:
Wear a loose short sleeve, or sleeve-less shirt. Testing will be done on both arms usually.
If you have Asthma, you must bring your prescribed albuterol rescue inhaler with you. Do not discontinue taking your asthma medication.

If possible, please do not bring young children to your testing session. In the uncommon event you have an allergic reaction while being tested; we do not have the facilities or staff to observe children properly.
A parent must be present throughout testing for minors.

The following medications DO SUPPRESS Skin Tests and need to be stopped 4 days prior to skin testing:

Antihistamines: (*Read all labels for Over-the-Counter Cold, Allergy or Cough formulations – Active ingredients should list generic name medications.  Look for words such as: drowsiness, sedation, antihistamine). This list is not complete as Brand names changes regularly.

Actifed, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), Chlorpheniramine, Brompheniramine, Allegra (Fexofenadine), Chlortrimeton, Claritin (Loratidine),  Clarinex (Desloratidine),  Zyrtec (Cetirizine), Xyzal (Levocetirizine), Contac/Dimetapp, Naldecon,  Anti-Itch ‘eye drops’ (e.g. Patanol, Zaditor-Ketotifen, Pataday, etc.), Astelin/Astepro (Azelastine nasal spray), Patenase (Olpatidine nasal spray), Rutuss,  Rynatan,  Ridraman, Semprex-D, Tavist, Triaminic, Trinalin, Tylenol PM, Robitussin, Phernergan (Promethazine), Periactin (Cyproheptadine), Reglan (Metoclopromide)                             
 
Miscellaneous:
Antivert (Meclizine), Dramamine, Botanical (Herbal) formulas, Chinese Herbs, Homeopathic/Herbal drops

The following medications DO SUPPRESS Skin Tests and need to be stopped 7-10 days prior to skin testing (*Discuss with your prescribing Provider before discontinuing):

Antidepressants with Anithistamine Effects:
Amitriptyline (Elavil/Endep/Etrafon/Limbitrol/Vanatrip), clomipramine (Anafranil), amoxampine (Asendin), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), maprotiline (Ludiomil), mirtazapine (Remeron), trazadone (Desyrel), nefazadone (Serzone), trimipramine (Surmontil), doxepin (Adapin/Zonalon)

Antipsychotics with Antihistamine Effects:
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol)


The following medications COULD SUPPRESS Skin Tests and stopped 1 day prior to skin testing:
Montelukast (Singulair), Zafirlukast (Accolate), Zileuton (Zyflo), Tagamet (Cimetidine), Ranitidine (Zantac), Nizatidine (Axid), Famotidine (Pepcid)
 

Some common Medication classes that DO NOT SUPPRESS Skin Tests:

Nasal Corticosteroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasonex, QNasl, Veramyst, etc.)
DOES NOT INCLUDE: Patanase, Astepro or Astelin sprays
Thyroid medications
Blood Pressure medications
Cholesterol medications
Asthma/COPD inhaler medications
Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory medications (e.g. Aspirin, ibuprofen, Celebrex, etc.) Antibiotic/Antifungal/Antiviral medications
Diabetes medications
SSRI or SNRI Antidepressant medications DOES NOT INCLUDE ‘Tricyclic’ Antidepressants
Proton Pump Inhibitors for Acid Reflux (e.g. Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, etc.)
Anti-seizure medications (e.g. Depakote/valproic acid)

IF YOU ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT TAKING ANY PARTICULAR MEDICATION(S) OR FEEL YOU CANNOT STOP YOUR MEDICATION(S) PRIOR TO YOUR TESTING APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE ALLERGY DEPARTMENT AT 615.278.7600. WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO SAFELY GET YOU TESTED COMFORTABLY.