Asthma, Hay Fever, and Food Allergies in Framingham, Massachusetts

Preparing For Your First Visit

Your first visit to Central Mass Allergy and Asthma Care Framingham may take between approximately two and three hours. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to complete the registration process. Our goal is to provide you with high quality and comprehensive care.

Before Your Appointment

If you have an insurance plan that requires a referral or authorization in order to be seen by a specialist, please contact your primary care physician for authorization. Your authorization may be faxed to (508) 879-0637. Referrals must be in place before your first visit.

Please refrain from wearing any perfume or cologne when you visit our office, as these may irritate patients with asthma. We also ask that you wear clothing with sleeves that can easily roll up, which is helpful if skin testing needs to be performed.

What to Bring 

 

Medication Information

Certain medicines may interfere with the results of skin tests. We ask that you stop taking long-acting antihistamines at least four to five days before testing. If your problem involves persistent hives or allergic swelling, do not stop taking antihistamines. In these cases, stopping the antihistamine may worsen your condition. Asthma medications should always be continued as prescribed.

Please check with us if you have any questions about whether or not you need to stop taking a certain medicine. The following medications can interfere with your skin test results, and should be stopped before testing if possible:
  • Allegra® (Fexofenadine) 
  • Claritin® (Loratadine, Alavert)
  • Zyrtec® (Cetirizine)
  • Xyzal® (Levo Cetirizine)
    • Atarax® (Hydroxyzine) 
    • Benadryl® (Diphenhydramine)
    • Palgic® (Carbinoxamine)
    • Periactin® (Cyprohepatidine)
      • Tavist® (Clemastine) 
      • Chlor-Trimeton™
      • Phenergan™ with Codeine
        Nasal Spray - allergy in Framingham, MA
        Additionally, some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines contain antihistamines. Check with your pharmacist to make sure. Nasal antihistamine sprays such as Astelin ®, Astepro ®, Dymista ® and Patanase ® should not be taken leading up to your appointment. Certain antidepressants including doxepin, imipramine or tofranil, and phenothiazines may need to be discontinued for longer periods.
        Reflux medications including Zantac (ranitidine, Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Axid (nizatidine) need to be discontinued for three days before testing. Additionally, Dopamine and Clonidine may also impact testing.
        Do not stop taking Singulair or inhaled medicines for asthma if needed. You do not need to stop nasal steroids such as Nasonex, Flonase, Veramyst, Nasacort, Omnaris, QNASL or Rhinocort. If you are unsure whether or not to discontinue a medication, please call us at 508-879-2712.
        Contact us at 508.879.2712 in our Framingham, Massachusetts office to set up an initial appointment.
        Nasal Spray - allergy in Framingham, MA

        Additionally, some over-the-counter cough and cold medicines contain antihistamines. Check with your pharmacist to make sure. Nasal antihistamine sprays such as Astelin ® , Astepro ® , Dymista ® Patanase ®, azelastine, and olopatadine should not be taken leading up to your appointment. Certain antidepressants including doxepin, imipramine or tofranil, and phenothiazines may need to be discontinued for longer periods. Mental health medications should only be discontinued after consulting with your doctor.

        Reflux / Heart burn medications including Zantac, Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Axid (nizatidine) need to be discontinued for three days before testing.

        Do not stop taking Singulair (Montelukast) or inhaled medicines for asthma. You do not need to stop nasal steroids such as Nasonex, Flonase, Veramyst, Nasacort, Omnaris, QNASL or Rhinocort. If you are unsure whether or not to discontinue a medication, please call us at 508-879-2712 .

        Contact us at 508.879.2712 in our Framingham, Massachusetts office to set up an initial appointment.