Antihistamines

Preparing for allergy testing

In the office where I work, we ask patients to discontinue antihistamines 48 hours prior to testing. The makers of Clarinex recommend stopping it 6 days before testing. Talk with your allergist about his or her recommendations.

The more common antihistamines are listed below. This is not a complete list of all antihistamines. Many over-the-counter medications and combination drugs contain antihistamines. If you are uncertain if the medication you are taking contains an antihistamine, check with your physician or pharmacist.

Once the testing is over your allergist will probably tell you that you can resume your antihistamine. If you begin allergy injections, you may need the antihistamine and the shot both for awhile. This is especially so on the day you get your shot, since you will be getting an extra dose in the shot of things you are allergic to, along with whatever amount of the allergen you are exposed to in the environment.

NAME BRAND ANTIHISTAMINES
Allegra	Phenergan
Atarax	Rynatan
Atrohist	Rynatuss
Benadryl	Semprex
Bromfed	Sinulin
Claritin	Tavist
Codimal DH Syrup	Trinalin
Dimetane Cough Syrup	Tussionex
Dura-Vent	Tylenol Allergy
Extendryl	Tylenol Cold
Hycomine Compound	Tylenol Flu
Kronofed	Tylenol PM
Nolamine	Vistaril
Nolahist	Zyrtec
Periactin
GENERIC ANTIHISTAMINES
acrivastine	astemizole
azatadine	azelastine
brompheniramine	cetirizine
chlorpheniramine	cyproheptadine
diphehydramine	fexofenadine
hydroxyzine	loratidine
methscopolamine	phenidamine
promethazine	pyrilamine

Click here for more antihistamines.