Details

Pindolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). Pindolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pindolol, or if you have asthma, certain heart conditions (especially second or third degree heart block), heart failure, or severe slow heart rate. Before taking pindolol, tell your doctor if you have bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, heart disease, congestive heart failure, slow heart rate, coronary artery disease, low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, depression, or a thyroid disorder.

Typical Uses

Pindolol is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. Pindolol belongs to a class of medications called beta-blockers. It works by blocking the effects of certain natural substances (such as epinephrine and adrenalin) on the heart and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart. Pindolol may also be used to treat a certain type of chest pain (angina). It may reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes and improve your ability to exercise.

Side Effects

Common side effects of pindolol include slow or uneven heartbeats feeling light-headed, fainting feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion swelling of your ankles or feet nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) depression or cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Drug Interactions

• Pindolol+albuterol- Using pindolol together with albuterol may reduce the benefits of both medications, since they have opposing effects in the body. In addition, pindolol can sometimes cause narrowing of the airways, which may worsen your breathing problems or trigger severe asthmatic attacks. Pindolol is normally not recommended if you have asthma, a history of asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Pindolol+epinephrine- Beta-blockers like pindolol may reduce the effects of epinephrine. If you have been using pindolol, you may not respond as well to epinephrine when it is given to treat an emergency such as shock or a severe allergic reaction. In addition, the combination may cause severe high blood pressure and reduced heart rate.
• Pindolol+dolasetron- Talk to your doctor before using dolasetron together with pindolol. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use both medications.
• Pindolol+fingolimod- Before starting fingolimod, let your doctor know if you are currently receiving treatment with pindolol. Using fingolimod in this situation can cause excessive slowing of your heart rate that can lead to serious or life-threatening cardiac complications. This is most likely to occur early on after you start treatment with fingolimod, especially within the first 20 hours after the first dose. On the other hand, it may be alright for you to use these medications together if you have been stable on fingolimod therapy for over a month while you start treatment with pindolol.

Mechanism of action

Pindolol belongs to group of medications called beta-blockers. It relaxes the blood vessels and slows the heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

Pregnancy Category : B