Bronchial provocation testing assesses how sensitive your airways are. Your physician uses the result alongside your symptoms and other breathing tests.
Medication Withholding before the bronchial provocation test:
Follow the preparation instructions on your booking, because the exact withholding times depend on the test protocol requested. For the mannitol challenge test, the usual times are:
- Reliever puffers (Ventolin, Asmol, Airomir, Bricanyl): 8 hours
- Ipratropium (Atrovent): 12 hours
- Twice-daily long-acting and combination inhalers (Seretide, Symbicort, Flutiform, DuoResp, Fostair, Serevent, Oxis): 36 hours
- Once-daily long-acting inhalers (Breo Ellipta, Trelegy, Anoro, Ultibro, Spiolto, Onbrez, Striverdi), triple-therapy inhalers (Trimbow, Breztri) and long-acting anticholinergics (Spiriva, Seebri, Incruse, Bretaris): 72 hours
- Preventer-only inhaled steroids (Flixotide, Pulmicort, Qvar, Alvesco): skip the morning dose (6 hours)
- Montelukast (Singulair): 4 days
- Antihistamines (Zyrtec, Claratyne, Telfast, Phenergan): 72 hours
- Theophylline (Nuelin): 24 hours
- Caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks and chocolate): 24 hours
No smoking or vaping for 1 hour, no alcohol for 8 hours, no vigorous exercise for 1 hour and no large meal for 2 hours before the test. Do not stop a medicine you need to stay safe — if in doubt, take it and tell us.
CONTACT US TODAY
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to discuss your sleep or lung-related problem, please contact reception using the button below.
Before your test
The medication withholding times for this test are listed above. Bring all your inhalers and a list of your medicines. Full preparation guide and printable instructions →
After your test
Your tests are performed by a respiratory scientist and reported by one of our respiratory physicians. The report is sent to your referring doctor within two weeks. If your GP referred you for the tests only, your GP goes through the results with you and can ask us for a consultation if the report recommends one; if you are already seeing one of our physicians, the results are discussed at your next appointment. If you have not heard from your doctor three weeks after the test, call (03) 9422 0077.