Spirometry

All information can be found in our Spirometry Leaflet.

Please contact the Practice if any of the following apply to you:

• Have you been on any antibiotics or steroids in the past 6 weeks?
• Have you had any surgery in the last 12 weeks?
• Have you had a chest infection in the last 6 weeks?
• Have you coughed up blood in the last 4 weeks?
• Have you had chest pain or discomfort recently?
• Have you had a pneumothorax or collapsed lung in the last 12 weeks?
• Do you have an aneurysm?
• Are you infectious with e.g. TB, MRSA, Covid?
• Have you had a heart attack or stroke in the last 12 weeks?
• Do you have a middle ear infection?
• Are you currently pregnant?

Can I use my Inhalers?

If you take steroid inhalers (such as Clenil) continue to use them.

4 to 6 hours before the test do not use the following inhalers: 

• Salbutamol (Ventolin, Aerolin, Salamol)
• Albuterol
• Terbutaline (Bricanyl)

Preparing for your Spirometry Appointment

12 hours before the test do not use the following inhalers:

• Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent or Combivent)

24 hours before the test do not use the following inhalers:

• Salmeterol (Serevent)
• Formoterol fumerate (Oxis or Foradil)
• Formoterol and Budesonide (Symbicort)
• Salmeteol and Fluticasone (Seretide)

36 hours before the test do not use

• Indacaterol (Onbrez, Ultibro)
• Vilanterol (Trelegy, Anoro)  
• Olodaterol (Striverdi, Spiolto)
• Tiotropium (Spiriva, Spiolto)
• Aclidinium (Duaklir)
• Montelukast (Singulair) 
• Zafirkulast (Accolate)
• Umeclidinium (Incruse, Trelegy, Anoro) 
• Theophylline (Uniphyllin, Slophyllin) 
• Glycopyronium (Trimbow, Seebri, Ultibro)#

How to Prepare for your Test

• Do not smoke for at least 4 hours before the test
• Do not drink alcohol for 4 hours before the test
• Do not exercise or eat a large meal in the two hours before your test
• Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes
• If you use inhalers please bring them to the appointment

Spirometry Side Effects

You should not experience any side effects but you may feel tired after the test. You will be able to drive after the test. If you have a reversibility test the medicine used (Salbutamol) can sometimes cause a slight tremor or headache. If you have any dizziness, headache, chest pain or tremor please let us know either during or after the test

Cancelling your Appointment 

Cancelling your appointment If you are not able to attend for your appointment please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the appointment to another patient and arrange a new appointment for you.