Common asthma reliever drugs taken by millions of children may place certain patients with a particular genetic make-up at an increased risk of asthma attacks.

Previous studies had reported that asthma drugs such as Advair and Serevent might increase the risk of asthma attacks in certain patients; the finding, however, was never linked to any specific genetic variation.

According to a study published in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, salbutamol -- one of the most common asthma drugs also known as albuterol, Ventolin and salmeterol -- is less effective in children with a specific gene variant.
Asthma patients carrying a gene variant called Arg16 are 30 percent more likely to experience asthma attacks when using salbutamol inhalers on a daily basis. The risk is reported to be as high as 70 percent in those who have two copies of the gene.

Children living in regions such as India, where the Arg16 gene is known to be more common, are believed to be at a greater risk.

Scientists urged physicians to perform certain genetic tests on children before prescribing them such medication, aiming to guarantee the result of their treatment.

PKH/HGH