Pindolol

Pronunciation: PIN-doe-lol
Generic Name: Pindolol
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

Do not suddenly stop taking Pindolol. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Pindolol. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Pindolol for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Pindolol again.

Pindolol is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pindolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It works by slowing down the heart and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This helps to decrease blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Pindolol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Pindolol


• you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, uncontrolled heart failure, or shock caused by serious heart problems


• you have asthma


• you are taking mibefradil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pindolol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Pindolol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of an adrenal gland tumor (eg, pheochromocytoma); chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, or other lung or breathing disease; heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, slow or irregular heartbeat); blood vessel problems, narrowing of blood vessels of the legs, arms, stomach, or kidneys; an unusually slow heartbeat; diabetes; kidney or liver problems; low blood sugar; or an overactive thyroid


• if you have a history of severe allergic reactions


• if you are scheduled to have surgery or receive anesthesia

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pindolol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Clonidine because stopping it or Pindolol suddenly can lead to a rapid increase in blood pressure


• Catecholamine-depleting medicines (eg, reserpine), cimetidine, digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, flecainide, ketanserin, mefloquine, mibefradil, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), or verapamil because serious side effects, such as very slow heart rate, very low blood pressure, fainting, severe dizziness, or light-headedness when standing, may occur


• Indomethacin because it may decrease Pindolol's effectiveness


• Fingolimod, insulin, meglitinide antidiabetics (eg, nateglinide), or quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Pindolol


• Sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol) or theophylline because their effectiveness may be decreased by Pindolol


• Epinephrine because the effectiveness may be decreased by Pindolol. The risk of side effects, such as high blood pressure and slow heartbeat, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pindolol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Pindolol:

Use Pindolol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Pindolol may be taken with or without food.


• Continue to use Pindolol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Pindolol. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop Pindolol, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Pindolol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pindolol.

Important safety information:

• Pindolol may cause dizziness or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pindolol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Pindolol may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• It may take up to 2 to 4 weeks to get the full benefit from Pindolol. Do not stop using Pindolol or change your dose of Pindolol without checking with your doctor.


• Pindolol may mask the signs of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). If thyroid patients stop taking these medicines too suddenly, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (eg, a rapid pulse) may occur.


• If you have a history of any severe allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk of an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Pindolol.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Pindolol may interfere with the glaucoma screening test.


• Diabetes patients - Pindolol may mask signs of low blood sugar such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you hungrier. Pindolol may also affect blood sugar levels. Check blood glucose levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Pindolol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Pindolol without first consulting with your doctor. Severe chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Pindolol. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. If your doctor decides you should no longer take Pindolol, the dosage should be gradually reduced according to your doctor's instructions. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems develop, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Pindolol again.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Pindolol. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Pindolol with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pindolol while you are pregnant. Pindolol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Pindolol.

If you suddenly stop taking Pindolol, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including worsening chest pain, along with possible heart attack.

Possible side effects of Pindolol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; fatigue; joint or muscle pain; muscle cramps; nausea; nervousness; sleeplessness; tiredness; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; cold fingers or toes; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; light-headedness; mental or mood changes; numbness, burning, or tingling; severe or persistent dizziness; short-term memory problems; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the arms of legs; unusual bruising or bleeding.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Pindolol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing; fainting; light-headedness; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; very slow heart rate; wheezing.

Proper storage of Pindolol:

Store Pindolol at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pindolol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Pindolol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Pindolol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pindolol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Pindolol resources

• Pindolol Side Effects (in more detail)
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• Pindolol Drug Interactions
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