In order to be able to perform a food challenge, you must stop certain medications several days prior to your appointment.
Antihistamines to be stopped 7 days before the appointment:
Cetirizine (Zyrtec, Zyrtec D)
Desloratadine (Clarinex, Clarinex D)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Fexofenadine (Allegra, Allegra D)
Loratadine (Claritin, Claritin D, Alavert)
Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Meclizine (Antivert, Dramamine)
Antihistamines to be stopped 5 days before the appointment:
Brompheniramine (Actifed, Atrohist, Dimetap, Drixoral)
Chlorpheniramine (Chlortimeton, Deconamine, Novafed, Rynatan)
Clemastine (Tavist, Antihist)
Cyproheptadine (Polaramine)
Diphenhydramine (Allernix, Benadryl, Nytol, Tylenol PM)
Doxylamine (Bendectin, Nyquil)
Hydroxizine (Atarax, Marax, Vistaril)
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Stomach medications to stop 5 days before the appointment:
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Famotidine (Pepcid)
Nizatidine (Axid)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Nasal sprays and eye drops to stop 5 days before the appointment:
Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro, Dymista, Optivar)
Bepotastine (Bepreve)
Ketotifen (Zaditor, Alaway)
Olapatadine (Pataday, Patanase, Pazeo)
Pheniramine (Visine A, Naphcon A)
Note that there are many other over the counter cold medications and sleep aids which contain antihistamines. This includes Tylenol Allergy, Actifed Cold, Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough, and many others. Please check the ingredients of any over the counter medication to ensure they do not contain any of the above ingredients.
You should NOT stop your asthma medications. This includes your inhalers and singulair (montelukast).
There is NO need to stop steroid nose sprays (flonase, fluticasone, rhinocort, budesonide, nasacort, triamcinolone, flonase sensimist).