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Reaction to asthma medicines linked to genes

9 October 2009

If you think your child's asthma or your own isn't controlled by asthma medicines or is made worse, go to your doctor.

Dr Paula Franklin, director of healthcare development, Bupa

Genes may increase medicine-associated asthma attacks in children, say UK researchers.

Some commonly prescribed asthma medicines, such as salmeterol and albuterol, may interact with certain genes to cause asthma attacks, according to new research.

Over 1,000 people aged between three and 22 took part in this four year Scottish study. The researchers looked at whether the effect of certain asthma medicines varied in young people with different genetic make-ups.

They found that some young people with a particular gene called Arg16 were more likely to have an increase in their asthma symptoms after taking the medicines. However, the Arg16 gene doesn't necessarily affect all young people taking asthma medicines so there may be other factors involved. In addition, the people in the study were all of Caucasian origin so these findings are not reflective of the whole population.

The researchers saw that disjointed messages are sent between the Arg16 gene and body chemicals which may help show the differing responses to asthma medicines.

Genetic testing may help to identify which people could react to the asthma medicines. In the future this may help when prescribing treatments, but this type of test is a long way off. However, a genetic test may not give a conclusive result as many factors are involved.

Dr Paula Franklin, director of healthcare development at Bupa, commented: "Asthma medicines work differently in different people. This research may help identify some of the genetic pathways involved in this.

"This study was in young people and can't be applied to adults. If you think your child's asthma or your own isn't controlled by asthma medicines or is made worse, go to your doctor to discuss your concerns and talk through the options available."

Key facts
  • 300 million people have asthma worldwide.
  • Asthma causes inflammation and tightening of the airways in the lungs. This leads to symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing.
  • Salmeterol and albuterol are Beta2 (β2) agonist medicines that relieve asthma symptoms by helping to open the airways.
  • Salmeterol is used long-term to help prevent symptoms.
  • Albuterol (also called salbutamol) is used to help treat symptoms when you have an asthma attack.

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