Pindolol

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. It may take 1-2 weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor, especially if you have chest pain (angina) or heart disease. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions. When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease work for the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop new or worsening chest pain. (See also Side Effects section.) Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens (e.g., routine blood pressure readings increase).

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: arbutamine, thioridazine. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this drug. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: alpha-blockers (e.g., prazosin), other beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol), bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, theophylline), calcium-channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), clonidine, drugs for diabetes (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), epinephrine, fenoldopam, nasal decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen), other drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., methyldopa, reserpine), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove this medication from your body (e.g., amiodarone, chlorpromazine, St. John's wort). Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., amitriptyline, risperidone, trazodone). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could cause drowsiness or increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information, call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, liver tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness/fainting, slow/shallow breathing.

Before taking pindolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta-blockers (e.g., acebutolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: asthma, very slow heartbeat (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), a certain serious heart condition (cardiogenic shock), uncontrolled severe heart failure. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis), breathing problems (e.g., chronic obstructive lung disease-COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis), blood circulation problems (e.g., Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), low blood flow to the heart/brain (e.g., due to coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack), diabetes, heart problems (e.g., heart failure, heart attack), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression), a certain muscle problem (myasthenia gravis), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), a certain type of tumor (pheochromocytoma). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. This drug may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, causing or worsening diabetes. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst or frequent urination. If you have diabetes, this medication may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level such as dizziness and sweating are unaffected by this drug. Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys and liver. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for side effects such as dizziness while using this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (between 15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, and nausea may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Avoid tobacco use and dress warmly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Medications in this class may cause or worsen heart failure. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects: swelling of the feet/ankles, shortness of breath, severe tiredness, unexplained/sudden weight gain. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: bluish color of the fingers/toes/nails, hair loss (reversible), mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, memory problems), pain/cramps in the muscles/joints, numbness/tingling, decreased sexual ability, vision changes. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, slow/irregular/fast heartbeat, severe dizziness/fainting. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. 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. Your doctor may also use this medication to treat other conditions.