For a patient with asthma and hypertension, which medication should not be prescribed?

In patients with asthma, particular caution is required when prescribing medications that can potentially exacerbate respiratory conditions. Beta blockers can induce bronchoconstriction due to their mechanism of action, which blocks beta-adrenergic receptors that are also found in the smooth muscles of the airways. This can lead to increased difficulty in breathing for asthma patients.

While beta blockers may be necessary in certain situations, particularly in patients with cardiovascular issues, they are usually avoided in asthmatic patients unless a cardioselective beta blocker is specifically indicated and prescribed under careful consideration. This makes beta blockers a less suitable option for someone with asthma.

In contrast, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) generally do not have the same adverse effects on the respiratory system and can be safer choices for managing hypertension in patients who also have asthma. Therefore, avoiding beta blockers in a patient with both asthma and hypertension is a crucial guideline in ensuring their respiratory condition is not worsened.