What are Spirometry, Reversibility and FeNO?
These are a routine set of tests that evaluate how well your lungs work. The tests can take a maximum of 60 minutes.

Spirometry
Spirometry is a test that shows how well you breathe in and out. The device used to measure this is called a spirometer. We will ask you to breathe in fully and blow out as hard and fast as you can into the mouthpiece. You will need to repeat this test several times with breaks in between.

Reversibility
Reversibility is a test that is only performed on some patients. It depends on your spirometry results. If your spirometry results suggest you may benefit from an inhaler medicine that opens your airways then we will ask you do this further test called ‘reversibility’. This will require you to breathe 
in an inhaler medicine from a small chamber called a “spacer” and then repeat your spirometry tests after 15 minutes.

FeNO (Fractional Expired Nitric Oxide)
This test measures the nitric oxide in the air you breathe out. We will ask you to breathe slowly and steadily into another device for 10 seconds. This can require a practice attempt. This test can tell us whether you might have some inflammation in the airways.

Preparing for your test
For any of these tests to be carried out successfully, it is important that you DO NOT:
 • Smoke for at least 24 hours before your test
 • Exercise in the hour before your test
 • Eat a large meal during the two hours before your test
 • Drink alcohol for 24 hours before your test
 • Wear tight fitting clothes. 

Inhalers
If you take steroid inhalers, please continue to use these as prescribed by your doctor.
If you regularly take bronchodilators (inhalers), please follow the instructions below:

 4 to 6 hours before the test do not use the following inhalers:
 • Salbutamol (Ventolin, Aerolin, Salamol)
 • Albuterol
 • Terbutaline (Bricanyl). 

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 and Budesonide (Symbicort)
 • Salmeterol 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).

If you find it difficult to manage without your inhaler, please use it and make a note of the time and dose and inform the nurse during the appointment.