About Peak Flow

A peak flow meter helps you check how well your asthma is controlled. Peak flow meters are most helpful for people with moderate or severe persistent asthma.

This guide will help you learn:

How to find your personal best peak flow number,
How to use your personal best number to set your peak flow zones,
How to take your peak flow, and
When to take your peak flow to check your asthma each day.

Starting Out

To find your personal best, take your peak flow every day for 2 to 3 weeks. Your asthma should be under good control during this time. Take your peak flow:

Between noon and 2:00 PM each day
Each time you take your quick-relief medicine to relieve symptoms (Measure your peak flow after you take your medicine)
Any other time your doctor suggests

These times are only for finding your personal best peak flow. To check your asthma each day, take your peak flow in the morning.

Write down the number you get for each peak flow reading. The highest peak flow number you had during the 2 to 3 weeks is your personal best. Your personal best can change over time. Ask your doctor when to check for a new personal best.

Your Peak Flow Zones

Your peak flow zones are based on your personal best peak flow number. The zones will help you check your asthma and take the right actions to keep it controlled.

	Green Zone (80%-100% of your best) means your asthma is in good control with no symptoms. This is where you should be every day. Take your medications as usual.

	Yellow Zone (50%-79% of your best) demands that you take action to get this asthma episode under control. You may be experiencing mild to moderate symptoms: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness. You may need to step-up your medication temporarily. If your readings are in the yellow zone, even after taking the appropriate rescue medication that your asthma management plan specifies, you should contact your doctor.

	Red Zone (less than 50% of your best) signals a medical emergency. You may be coughing, very short of breath, and/or the skin between your ribs or on your neck may be pulled in tight. You may have trouble walking or talking. Take your rescue medication and anti-inflammatory medications immediately (based on your asthma management plan) and contact your doctor immediately.

Record your personal best peak flow number and peak flow zones in your asthma diary or your personal online Peak Flow Diary.

To learn more about your Peak Flow Meter you may want to read:

PROVENTIL® HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in adults and children 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols, contact your doctor immediately because this reaction can be life threatening. Worsening symptoms often occur with the first use of a new canister.

What to tell your doctor before using PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all medications you are taking — especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression — because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work.

Side effects with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols are similar: In a clinical study, side effects associated with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols were similar and included infection of the ears, nose, and throat, runny nose, nausea, tremor, and nervousness. Rapid heart beat, vomiting, chest pain, and palpitation occurred more frequently with PROVENTIL® HFA.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional important product information, see The PROVENTIL® HFA Package Insert.
For additional important product information on the Warrick inhaler, see The Albuterol Package Insert.

Note: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about your treatment or medical condition, please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider.

Available by prescription only.

This site is intended for use by U.S. residents.