Home Drug Guide Pindolol

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Pindolol

Brand Names Visken

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive, Antianginal

Pharmacological: Beta-adrenergic blocker (non-selective)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension
  • Angina pectoris

Mechanism of Action

Pindolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker that decreases heart rate, cardiac output, and blood pressure by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and other tissues, and also has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Initially 5 mg twice daily, titrated as needed up to 20 mg twice daily.

Pediatric: Not established for pediatric use.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses; monitor for adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose cautiously depending on severity.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific adjustments established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Partially metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Primarily excreted via the kidneys.

Half Life: 3-4 hours.

Contraindications

  • Bronchial asthma
  • Significant cardiac failure
  • Shock (including cardiogenic shock)
  • Sick sinus syndrome without pacemaker

Precautions

  • Use with caution in diabetes (masking hypoglycemia symptoms), peripheral vascular disease, thyrotoxicosis, or renal impairment.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Dizziness (Occasional)
  • Fatigue (Occasional)
  • Bradycardia (Uncommon)
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Respiratory distress, bronchospasm in asthmatics (Rare)
  • Severe bradycardia or hypotension (Rare)
  • Heart failure exacerbation (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, digoxin, catecholamine depleting agents.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory status.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for hypotension
  • Ineffective tissue perfusion

Implementation: Administer with food to reduce GI upset; monitor vital signs regularly.

Evaluation: Assess therapeutic response; adjust dosage accordingly.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Do not discontinue abruptly to avoid rebound hypertension.
  • Monitor blood pressure regularly.
  • Report symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or irregular heartbeat.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: May alter blood glucose and lipid profiles.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm, heart failure symptoms.

Treatment: Discontinue medication; provide supportive care; administer atropine for bradycardia; vasoconstrictors may be used for hypotension; dialysis is not effective.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Stability: Stable for shelf life as indicated by manufacturer.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.