The Department of Health has advised patients to be aware of the safe use of long-acting beta agonists, medications used to treat asthma.

The warning came after the US Food & Drug Administration's announcement that long-acting beta agonists should never be used alone in treating asthma in children or adults.

The FDA also requires manufacturers to include this warning in the product labels or package inserts of these drugs and take steps to reduce the overall use of these medications.

The new requirements are based on the FDA's analysis of clinical trials showing the use of long-acting beta agonists is associated with an increased risk of severe worsening of asthma symptoms, leading to hospitalisation and even death in some asthma patients.

Sixteen products containing long-acting beta agonists are currently registered in Hong Kong. The long-acting beta agonists are salmeterol and formoterol.

The Registration Committee of the Pharmacy & Poisons Board will review the information at an upcoming meeting.

Asthma patients using these medicines should consult medical professionals for appropriate advice and treatment. Their doctors should be informed about any problems encountered after treatment.