Welcome To Our Office!

Before Your Visit

There are several items to address before your visit.

1. The most important is the Patient Health Questionnaire. It is important that you print out and fill in the document and bring it with you to your first visit.
2. We also need you to review our Financial Policies Statement.
3. Please review our Notice Regarding Privacy of Personal Health Information document.
4. If you have past medical records (X-ray reports, laboratory reports, past allergy testing, pulmonary function testing, or other useful information) please bring them with you to the visit.
5. A list of your current medications and dosages is important to bring to the visit.
6. Certain medications should be held prior to the visit, if possible.

   Anti-Histamines: These medications interfere with skin testing and should be discontinued prior to the visit if skin testing is to be performed. Anti-histamines should be stopped ideally 7 days before the visit but at least 4 days prior to the visit. Examples include the following:

   • Older anti-histamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Atarax (hydroxyzine), Chlor-trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
   • Newer anti-histamines such as Claritin (loratadine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine).
   • Many over-the-counter cold medications also contain anti-histamines. Please check the ingredient label.
   • Astelin or Astepro (azelastine) nasal spray and Patanase (olopatadine) nasal spray should also be discontinued.
   • The anti-histamine Xyzal (levocetirizine) should be stopped 10 days prior to visit.
   • If you have hives (urticaria) or other problems that require anti-histamines, then you may continue them, and we can discuss other testing options at the visit.

   Bronchodilator Inhalers

   These medications can affect the results of breathing tests done in the office and should be held before the visit if possible.

   • Quick relief bronchodilator medications should be held at least 4 hours prior to the visit, if possible. Examples are Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, ProAir), Xopenex, Maxair, and Atrovent.
   • Long acting bronchodilator medications should be held 12 hours prior to the visit, if possible. Examples include Serevent (salmeterol), Foradil (formoterol), and combination inhalers including Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol) and Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol) and Dulera (mometasone/formoterol).