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Celebrating Over 80 Years Of Service!

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) represents over 2,700 Board-certified otolaryngologists and health care providers. Otolaryngology, frequently referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), uniquely combines medical and surgical expertise to care for patients with a variety of conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat, as well as commonly related conditions. AAOA members devote part of their practice to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. The AAOA actively supports its membership through education, research, and advocacy in the care of allergic patients.

"Advance the comprehensive management of allergy and inflammatory disease in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery through training, education, and advocacy."

AAOA Member Benefits

  • Up to 60% discount for CME programs and free Annual Meeting. All AAOA’s CME programs meet ABOTOHNS Continuing Certification.
  • AAOA US ENT Affinity program, where AAOA members can gain savings on antigen, allergy supplies, and any of the other 5 service lines US ENT offers. For more email info@usentpartners.com.
  • Tools and resources to comply with US General Chapter 797 and practice management tools.
  • Advocacy support.
  • And much more! Learn More

ADVOCACY UPDATES

Medicare Physician Payment

AMA Advocacy Update The House of Representatives voted 339-85 on March 6 to pass the…

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Medicare Advantage FAQ

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently sent a memo to Medicare Advantage (MA)…

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AMA National Survey to Document Physician Practice Expense Is Still Open

Please take the time to complete the Physician Practice Information Survey! If you or your…

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Upcoming Dates

04/01/24: Fellow Exam Application Deadline
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06/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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06/25/24: Membership Application Deadline to be eligible for AAOA Member rate for the 2024 Basic Course

08/02/24: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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12/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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EDUCATION

AAOA Advanced Course

The recorded course content is available until April 30, 2024. This year’s Advanced Course featured Laryngology and Skull Base Surgery with Nausheen Jamal, MD and Garret Choby, MD as featured faculty.

RESIDENTS

For information about Resident membership, opportunities, DosedDaily, research grants, and other resources. Learn More

IFAR

Available Now

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IFAR Impact Factor: 2.454

IFAR Featured Content: COVID-19 - Free Access
Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID‐19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies . Read More

Changes in Managing Practices

Working together with AAOA staff, volunteer leadership and members will enable us to have a positive impact on our members’ practices.

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Live and Online CME

2024 AAOA Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
On-Demand Content Access Deadline:
April 30, 2024
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
July 25-27, 2024
The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid
November 8-10, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Learn More 

USP 797 Online Module
Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Next Availability - April 1, 2024

News and Updates

CEO Update, February 2024

Funny how there are so many metaphors for life in some of our day-to-day activities. …

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US ENT Partners Announces Strategic Relationship With AAOA

by Keith E. Matheny, M.D., F.A.R.S. via LinkedIn US ENT Partners, a Group Purchasing Organization…

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College Allergy Symptoms Treatment Back to Shcool

PRACTICE RESOURCES

AAOA Practice Resource Tool Kit

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) Practice Resource Tool Kit is intended as a guide to help AAOA members integrate allergy into their otolaryngology practice and to continually improve on this integration as new information, regulations, and resources become available.

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PARTNER RESOURCE CENTER

AAOA has launched a Partner Resource Center to bring you partner resources that can assist your practice and patient care.

Visit the New Center>

PATIENT CORNER

Medicine pills background. Three dimensional image. 3d

Medications To Stop Before Allergy Testing

By Dana Crosby, MD, FAAOA

WHY DO I NEED TO STOP SOME MEDICATIONS BEFORE AN ALLERGY TEST?

  • When you are allergic to a substance, your body releases certain chemicals such as histamine. When these chemicals are released in the skin during a test, we see a small bump in the skin that is often surrounded by redness. Certain medications can decrease this response and cause allergy testing to look negative even if you do have allergies.
  • Other medications can be dangerous to take if you are having an allergy test. Some medications can increase your chance of a life-threatening reaction to an allergy test or make treating a severe reaction more difficult. 
  • You only need to consider stopping medications if you are going to have a skin test for allergies. If your allergy test will be done with a blood draw from the vein no medications need to be stopped. 
  • It is important to review your list of medications with your ENT allergist in order to ensure the most accurate and safe outcome when you have your test. 

WHAT MEDICATIONS DO I NEED TO STOP BEFORE AN ALLERGY TEST?

Type of medicationExamples of this medicationWhen to stop
Topical Corticosteroidsaclometasone (Aclovate)amcinonide (Cyclocort)betamethasone (Diprolene, Betanate,          Beta-Val)clobetasol (Clobex, Olux, Temovate)desonide (Desonate, Desowen, Lokara,      Vereso)desoximetasone (Topicort)diflorasone (Apexicon)fluocinolone (Synalar)fluocinonide (Vanos, Lidex)flurandrenolide (Cordran)fluticasone (Cutivate)halcinonide (Halog)halobetasol (Ultravate)hydrocortisone (Locoid, Pandel,      Westcort)mometasone (Elocon)triamcinolone (Cinalog, Kenalog, Triderm)21 days before the test (in the area that will be tested)
*Tricyclic Antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Etrafon,      Limbitrol, Vanatrip)amoxampine (Asendin)clomipramine (Anafranil)desipramine (Norpramin)doxepin (Adapin,Sinequan)imipramine (Tofranil)nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)protriptyline (Vivactil)trimipramine (Surmontil)14 days before test
*Atypical Antidepressants & Sedativesbupropion (Wellbutrin)eszopiclone (Lunesta)mirtazapine (Remeron)quetiapine (Seroquel)trazadone (Oleptro)zolpidem (Ambien)14 days before test
Second and Third Generation Antihistamines cetirizine (Zyrtec)desloratadine (Clarinex)fexofenadine (Allegra)levocetirizine (Xyzal)loratadine (Claritin, Alavert)7 days before test
*Benzodiazepinesalprazolam (Xanax)clonazepam (Klonopin)diazepam (Valium)lorazepam (Ativan)midazolam (Versed)7 days before test
*Beta-blocker (pills and eye drops)Acebutolol (Sectral)Atenolol (Tenoretic, Tenormin)Betaxolol (Betoptic, Kerlone)Bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac)Carteolol (Cartrol, Ocupress)Carvedilol (Coreg)Esmolol (Brevibloc)Labetalol (Normdyne, Trandate)Levobunolol (AK-Beta, Betagan)Levobetaxolol (Betaxon)Metipranolol (OptiPranolol)Metoprolol (Lopressor)Nadolol (Corgard, Corzide)Penbutolol (Levatol)Pindolol (Visken)Propranolol (Inderal, Inderide)Sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)Timolol (Betimol, Blocarden, Ocumeter,      Timolide, Cosopt, Occudose, Timoptic)5 days before test
First Generation Antihistaminesazatadine (Optimine)brompheniramine (Bromax, Lodrane)carbinoxamine (Histex, Karbinal, Palgic,      Pediatex)chlorpheniramine (Aller-Chlor, Chlor-     Trimeton)clemastine (Allerhist, Contact, Tavist)cyproheptadine (Periactin)dexchlorpheniramine (Polarmine)diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many other      cold and allergy pills)
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)hydroxyzine (Atarax, Rezine, Vistaril)ketotifen (Zatiden)meclizine (Antivert, Bonine)methdilazine (Tacaryl)phenindamine (Nolahist)promethazine (Chlorpromazine,      Phenergan, Promethazine)pyrilamine (Nisaval)trimaparazine (Tremaril)tripelennamine (PBZ)triprolidine (Myidyl, Tripohist, Zymine)
5 days before test
H2 Blockerscimetidine (Tagamet)famotidine (Pepcid)ranitidine (Zantac)2 days before test
Antihistamine Nasal Sprayazelastine (Astelin, Astepro, Patanase,      Dymista)1 day before test
Antihistamine Eye Dropsazelastine (Optivar)olopatadine (Patanase, Pataday, Patanol)1 day before test
Immunomodulatorsomalizumab (Xolair)others are unknown discuss with doctor6 months
*These medications should NOT be stopped without discussing with the physician who prescribed them. Stopping these medications without proper instructions could be dangerous.

WHAT MEDICATIONS CAN I CONTINUE DURING ALLERGY TESTING?

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitorsbenazepril captopril enalapril lisinopril perindopril quinapril ramipril
Immunosuppressantscyclosporin
Nasal Steroid Spraysbeclomethasone budesonide ciclesonide fluticasone mometasone triamcinolone 
Decongestant, Decongestant Sprays, Expectorantsguaifenesinoxymetazoline phenylephrinepseudoephedrine
Leukotriene modifiersmontelukastpranlukastzafirlukastzileuton
Serotonin & Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)atomoxetinedesvenlafaxineduloxetinelevomilnacipranmilnacriprantramadolvenlafaxine
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)dexlansoprazoleesomeprazole lansoprazole omeprazole pantoprazole rabeprazole
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRIs)citalopram escitalopram fluoxetine fluvoxamineparoxetinesertraline volazodone vortioxetine 

!!!!!DO NOT STOP ASTHMA MEDICATIONS OR INHALERS!!!!!

PEARLS

  • It is critical to discuss stopping any medication for your heart, blood pressure, depression, anxiety, sleep or any medication that is required to maintain your current state of health with your ENT allergist and the physician who prescribed it to you. DO NOT stop these medications without discussing the risks first. 
  • It is important to continue all inhalers for asthma as uncontrolled asthma can increase the risk of testing. 
  • These are not firm time frames. Some doctors will tell you to stop these medications for a different length of time depending on their practice and experience.
  • Many allergy doctors will tell you to stop all problematic medications at the same time (5-14 days) in advance of your testing depending on their preference to make it easier for you. 
  • This list does NOT include every important medication. Please discuss your medication list with your allergist. If you have questions about specific medications please do not hesitate to call to ensure accuracy and safety of the test. 
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