You have been scheduled for a Methacholine Provocation Test or an Exercise-Induced Asthma Test in the Adult Pulmonary Function Laboratory. The purpose of this test is to help your doctor determine if you have airway hyperreactivity that would support the diagnosis of asthma.
To prepare for the test you MUST avoid certain medicines that can affect the test:
|
WHAT TO AVOID |
MINIMUM TIME TO STOP THE DRUG BEFORE THE TEST |
|
Short-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as isoetharine, metaproterenol, albuterol, terbutaline. Antihistamines, such as fexofenadine (Allegra), desloratadine (Claritin) |
8 hours |
|
Medium-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as ipratropium (Atrovent) |
24 hours |
|
Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, such as salmeterol, formoterol, tiotropium |
48 hours |
|
Oral bronchodilators: Liguid theophylline Intermediate theophyllines Long-acting theophyllines Standard beta2 agonist tablets Long-acting beta2 agonist tablets |
12 hours 24 hours 48 hours 12 hours 24 hours |
|
Cromolyn sodium |
8 hours |
|
Nedocromil |
48 hours |
|
Hydroxazine, cetirizine |
3 days |
|
Leukotriene modifiers |
24 hours |
|
Coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate |
DAY OF TEST |
DO NOT STOP YOUR INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS OR PREDNISONE. YOU MAY TAKE THESE MEDICINES, EVEN ON THE DAY OF THE TEST.
The Pulmonary Fellow will call you 2-3 days before your test. If you have any questions, or if you have had a viral respiratory illness within a week before your test, please call 415-476-8493.