Pindolol - a beta-blocker

About pindolol

Pindolol belongs to the group of medicines referred to as beta-blockers. It is a medicine which works on the heart and blood vessels.

Beta-blockers slow down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. They do this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart. As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), and because your heart is using less energy, it helps to reduce chest pain if you have angina.

For the treatment of high blood pressure, pindolol can be prescribed as a treatment on its own, or alongside a 'water' tablet (diuretic).

Before taking pindolol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking pindolol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno respiratorio.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento de sus riñones.

• Si tiene la tensión baja o mala circulación.

• Si padece diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

• Si tiene un problema cutáneo llamado psoriasis.

• Si padece una enfermedad que causa debilidad muscular, llamada miastenia gravis.

• Si le han dicho que tiene ritmo cardiaco lento, insuficiencia cardiaca o bloqueo cardiaco (ritmo cardiaco lento e irregular).

• Si le han dicho que tiene dolor torácico causado por espasmos de los vasos sanguíneos del corazón, lo que se denomina angina de Prinzmetal.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si ha tenido alguna vez una reacción alérgica a un medicamento, o si ha tenido alguna otra reacción alérgica grave.

How to take pindolol

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about pindolol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take pindolol exactly as your doctor tells you to - the directions will be printed on the label of the pack of tablets to remind you about what the doctor said. You may be asked to take one, two, or three doses each day.

• Your doctor may prescribe you a small dose initially, such as 2.5-5 mg, up to three times a day. As this may mean taking half a tablet, the tablets are scored so that they can be divided into two. If necessary, your doctor will increase your dose slowly over the following few weeks.

• You can take the tablets either before or after meals, but try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take pindolol regularly.

• Si olvida tomar una dosis, tómela en cuanto se acuerde (a menos que sea casi la hora de la siguiente dosis, en cuyo caso omita la dosis olvidada). No tome dos dosis juntas para compensar la dosis olvidada.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• Treatment with pindolol is usually long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Si va a someterse a una operación o a un tratamiento dental, es importante que informe a la persona que vaya a realizar el tratamiento de que está tomando un betabloqueante. Esto es especialmente importante si es probable que le administren anestesia.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking pindolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of pindolol which will make you feel dizzy and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with pindolol. Some medicines may not be (including some anti-inflammatory painkillers, and cold or flu remedies).

• Es posible que su médico le dé consejos dietéticos y de estilo de vida sobre cómo seguir una dieta sana, no fumar y hacer ejercicio con regularidad. Si es así, es importante que siga los consejos que le den.

• If you have diabetes, pindolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

Can pindolol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with pindolol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store pindolol

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos