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Overview: Pindolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It works by blocking receptors in your heart, which slows your heart rate and helps it beat more gently. Common side effects include dizziness, weakness or tiredness, and fluid retention. Call your health care provider right away if you have dizziness, trouble breathing, or feel faint. Pindolol comes as an oral tablet.

Uses

What is pindolol used for?

Pindolol is commonly used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension).

Pindolol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does pindolol work (mechanism of action)?

Pindolol blocks beta receptors in your heart. These receptors normally bind to hormones called catecholamines. When catecholamines bind to these receptors, it causes your heart to beat harder and faster. Blocking these receptors helps your heart beat more slowly. These effects can help lower blood pressure, and may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke. 

How is pindolol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Visken

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 5 mg oral tablets
  • 10 mg oral tablets

How should I store pindolol?

Pindolol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from light. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of pindolol?

The most common side effects of pindolol are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling unusually weak or tired 
  • Fluid retention

There may be other side effects of pindolol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of pindolol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of pindolol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Heart Rate Changes. Pindolol can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Pindolol may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

New or Worsening Heart Failure. Pindolol may worsen existing heart failure or cause fluid buildup in your body. For individuals with underlying heart disease or heart damage, pindolol can potentially lead to heart failure over time. Tell your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Breathing Problems. Pindolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop taking pindolol and contact your health care provider right away if you have trouble breathing.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Pindolol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking pindolol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use pindolol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use pindolol.

  • Visken
  • Pindolol
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific pindolol products they stock.

Breathing Problems. Pindolol should not be used by those with asthma or similar breathing problems.

Bradycardia. Pindolol should not be used if your heart is beating too slow (bradycardia).

Heart Block. Pindolol should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slow (heart block).

Severe or Worsening Heart Failure. Pindolol should not be used if your heart failure is severe or getting worse, causing you to feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or swelling in your legs. 

Cardiogenic Shock. Pindolol should not be used if you have a life-threatening condition called cardiogenic shock where your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.

What should I know about pindolol before using it?

Do not take pindolol unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share pindolol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep pindolol out of the reach of children.

Pindolol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how pindolol affects you.

Stopping pindolol suddenly may lead to chest pain, heart attack or dangerous heart rhythms in people with heart disease. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your health care provider first. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using pindolol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if pindolol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Thyroid problems

Diabetes. Pindolol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how pindolol could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Pindolol passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should stop breastfeeding or stop pindolol.

Interactions

Does pindolol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between pindolol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect pindolol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking pindolol.

Does pindolol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking pindolol.

  • Any medicine for irregular heart rate or rhythm
  • Any medicine for high blood pressure 
  • Any medicine for diabetes

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of pindolol. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with pindolol. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much pindolol?

If you or someone else has used too much pindolol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of pindolol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.