Asthma and Airway Centre

Managing Asthma

An Action/Management Plan Based on Peak Flows

(Your individual plan may be different.) Here is an example of a written Asthma Action Plan:

Peak flow values are sometimes associated with traffic light colours.

• If PEFR is greater than 80% of predicted normal or best known result, it is in the Green zone;
• PEFR 50-80%, Yellow zone;
• PEFR below 50%, Red zone.

(Personal Best 400 L/min). Continue maintenance therapy for PEFR 320-400 L/min.

1. Bronchodilator as needed (but not exceeding the maximum number of puffs advised by your doctor)
2. Coninue regular inhaled anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. two puffs of inhaled steroid twice daily)

If peak flow is between 60% - 80%* of best (240-320 L/min)

1. Double the dose of inhaled steroid for number of days required to return to previous value (e.g. inhaled steroid two puffs four times daily)
2. Continue on this increased dose for same number of days
3. Return to previous dose of maintenance treatment (e.g. inhaled steroid two puffs twice daily)

If peak flow is between 50% - 60%* of best (200-240 L/min)

1. Start oral prednisone 40 mg daily and contact your doctor
2. Continue on this dose for the number of days required to achieve previous baseline
3. Reduce oral prednisone to 20 mg daily for same number of days
4. Stop prednisone

If peak flow is less than 50% of best ( 200 L/min)

1. Contact your doctor urgently or, if unavailable
2. Contact ambulance or, if unavailable
3. Go directly to the hospital

* Different Percentages may be given for more severe cases.

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