Bronchoprovocation testing is usually very safe when performed by trained healthcare professionals in a medical facility. However, since these tests are designed to provoke an allergic reaction, there are some risks.

By their very nature, bronchoprovocation tests induce mild bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways caused by muscle contraction), which can be more severe in some patients. However, medications that open the airways will be administered after testing to ensure that the patient’s breathing returns to normal and remains that way.

The biggest risk with bronchoprovocation tests is the possibility of anaphylactic shock, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction to a substance. This is very rare, but it has occurred, and it requires an immediate dose of epinephrine (adrenaline) to reverse symptoms. Because of the slight but very real danger of anaphylactic shock, no patient should undergo bronchoprovocation testing unless under the supervision of a healthcare professional with immediate access to epinephrine. The testing staff should also have access to oxygen, and should be trained in CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation).