Methacholine Challenge Test
Your physician has requested that you have a special breathing test to see how sensitive your lungs are. The test involves breathing in different doses of a preparation called methacholine. Your ability to move air in and out of your lungs will be tested after each inhalation. As a result of the inhalation of the methacholine, you may experience shortness of breath, cough or difficulty breathing. You will receive medication during the test that will make these symptoms disappear. The test may take up to one hour.
This test is done according to strict standards for the safety of our patients.
Patients are asked not to take any inhaled rescue medications or smoke for at least eight (8) hours prior to the test.
The following medications MUST be withheld for the time period indicated – failure to withhold these medications will result in your appointment being rebooked to a later date. Please ensure you let reception or the technologist performing your test know if you didn’t stop your medications.
Medication Name |
Time Period to be Withheld |
Ventolin Bricanyl Salbutamol |
8hrs |
Singulair Accolade Antihistamine- Reactine/ Aerius |
24hrs |
Serevent Oxeze Advair Symbicort Flovent/ Pulmicort Onbrez/ Seebri/ Ultibro Breezhaler Zenhale Combivent/ Spiriva/ Inspileto Respimat Anoro/ Incruse/ Breo Ellipta Duaklir/ Tudorza Genuair |
48hrs |
NOTE: Patients taking beta-blockers(Atenolol, Metoprolol) should not perform this test.
Please bring a list of all current medications to your appointment. Take all you medications unless otherwise instructed by your physician, or this sheet.
It is recommended that patients withhold consumption of caffeinated beverages for at least three (3) hours prior to your test.