$Unique_ID{BRK03294} $Pretitle{} $Title{pindolol} $Subject{Visken Sandoz Beta-adrenergic blocking agent pindolol high blood pressure beta blockers nerve impulses pathways} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. pindolol ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAME (Manufacturer) Visken (Sandoz) TYPE OF DRUG Beta-adrenergic blocking agent INGREDIENT pindolol DOSAGE FORM Tablets (5 mg and 10 mg) STORAGE Pindolol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. USES Pindolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents or, more commonly, beta blockers. These drugs work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways. TREATMENT This medicine can be taken with a glass of water, with meals, immediately following meals, or on an empty stomach (depending on your doctor's instructions). Try to take the medication at the same time(s) each day. Try not to miss any doses of this medicine. If you do miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is within eight hours (if you are taking this medicine once a day) or within four hours (if you are taking this medicine more than once a day) of your next scheduled dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. Pindolol does not cure high blood pressure, but it will help to control the condition as long as you take it. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Anxiety; constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; difficulty in sleeping; drowsiness; dryness of the eyes, mouth, and skin; headache; nausea; tiredness; or weakness. These effects should disappear as you adjust to the drug. To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise. If you are extra-sensitive to the cold, be sure to dress warmly during cold weather. Plain, nonmedicated eye drops (artificial tears) may help to relieve eye dryness. Sucking on ice chips or chewing sugarless gum helps to relieve mouth or throat dryness. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about cold hands or feet (due to decreased blood circulation to skin, fingers, and toes), confusion, dizziness, fever and sore throat, hair loss, hallucinations, light-headedness, mental depression, nightmares, numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes, rapid weight gain (three to five pounds within a week), reduced alertness, skin rash, swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, or wheezing or difficulty in breathing. INTERACTIONS Pindolol interacts with a number of other types of drugs: 1. Indomethacin, aspirin, or other salicylates may decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of the beta blockers. 2. Concurrent use of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nifedipine, or verapamil) or disopyramide can lead to heart failure or very low blood pressure. 3. Cimetidine and oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can increase the blood concentrations of pindolol, which can result in greater side effects. 4. Side effects may also be increased when beta blockers are taken with clonidine, digoxin, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, phenothiazine tranquilizers, prazosin, or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. At least 14 days should separate use of a beta blocker and the use of an MAO inhibitor. 5. Beta blockers may antagonize (work against) the effects of theophylline, aminophylline, albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, and terbutaline. 6. Beta blockers can also interact with insulin or oral antidiabetic agents, raising or lowering blood sugar levels or masking the symptoms of low blood sugar. 7. The concurrent use of pindolol and reserpine can have additive blood-pressure-lowering effects. 8. The action of beta blockers may be increased if they are used with chlorpromazine, furosemide, or hydralazine. 9. Alcohol, barbiturates, and rifampin can decrease the blood concentrations of pindolol, which can result in a decrease in effectiveness. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any listed above. WARNINGS * Before starting to take this drug, it is important to tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to any beta-blocking medication (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, propranolol, or timolol). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had allergies, asthma, hay fever, eczema, slow heartbeat, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, emphysema, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or poor circulation in the fingers or toes. * You may want to check your pulse while taking this medication. If your pulse is much slower than your usual rate (or if it is less than 50 beats per minute), check with your doctor. A pulse rate that is too slow may cause circulation problems. * This medicine may affect your body's response to exercise. Make sure you discuss with your doctor a safe amount of exercise for your medical condition. * It is important that you do not stop taking this medicine unless you first check with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, and the danger of a heart attack is increased in some patients. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount of medicine you take before stopping completely. Make sure that you have enough medicine on hand to last through vacations, holidays, and weekends. * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, tell your physician or dentist that you are taking pindolol. Often, this medication will be discontinued 48 hours prior to any major surgery. * Pindolol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or decreased alertness. Exercise caution while driving a car or using potentially dangerous machinery. * While taking this medicine, do not use any over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, asthma, cough, cold, sinus, or diet preparations unless you first check with your pharmacist or doctor. Some of these medicines can result in high blood pressure if taken in conjunction with a beta blocker. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Animal studies have shown that some beta blockers can cause problems in pregnancy when used at very high doses. Adequate studies have not been conducted in humans, but there has been some association between beta blockers used during pregnancy and low birth weight, as well as breathing problems and slow heart rate in newborn infants. However, other reports have shown no effects on newborn infants. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Although pindolol has not been shown to cause problems in breast-fed infants, some of the medicine may pass into breast milk. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.