Before a patient visits a doctor, there are several things that he/she needs to do to
prepare for the visit. The patient should be told what to expect and what
to bring to the office at the time they schedule the visit.
First, patients should bring a list of all their medications, dosages and when
they are supposed to take them. Even better, they should bring the medications with
them. Remember,
medications are not just prescription drugs but also eye drops, ointments and
medications bought over-the-counter. Some eye drops can contain beta-blockers
and can cause serious reactions
during allergy testing and many over-the-counter medications were prescription
drugs just a few years ago. Antihistamine usage can also cause
false positive results in an allergy test. It is not uncommon after a
negative allergy test for patients to remember a single over-the-counter cold
pill that they took which upon closer examination contained an antihistamine.
In addition, patients should know their prescription and over-the-counter drug allergies. This
is very important. Many medications may cross-react and lead to dangerous
complications if used together.
Next, patients should be knowledgeable about their other medical problems. Many allergy
and sinus medications are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. For example: Decongestants may worsen
hypertension
pressure and may cause severe reactions in diabetics. Antihistamines may cause
urinary retention in patients with prostatic
