$Unique_ID{BRK02098}
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$Title{PINDOLOL}
$Subject{Visken (Sandoz)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PINDOLOL
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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.
     It is important to remember that pindolol does not cure high blood
pressure, but it will help to control the condition as long as you continue to
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 side effects should disappear as your body
adjusts to the medicine.
     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
particularly 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, 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, 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.  You should, therefore, 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.

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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.
