Visken (Pindolol)
Visken (Pindolol) Dosage and Side Effects
It is used to treat high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It is also used to prevent a type of chest pain called Angina Pectoris.
Warnings and Precautions
BEFORE you use VISKEN talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
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If you suffer from any of the following:
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diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes), and you are taking insulin or diabetes medicine by mouth,
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severe kidney disease,
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liver disease,
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milder forms of circulatory disturbances of blood vessels (symptoms such as paleness, cold hands or feet),
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overactive thyroid,
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chronic bronchitis and emphysema,
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psoriasis (a type of skin disease characterized by thickened patches of red/silver skin)
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you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
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you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.
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you are breastfeeding (the active ingredient may pass into your milk and harm your baby).
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you are having any kind of surgery or dental treatment.
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you are experiencing eye problems (symptoms like dry, gritty or burning eyes).
If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before taking VISKEN. The doctor will take these things into account before and during your treatment with VISKEN and your doctor may need to monitor you more closely while you are using this medicine.
Driving and using machines:
In some people, VISKEN may cause dizziness or tiredness. If this happens to you, do not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks that need full attention.
Side Effects
Common Side Effects of VISKEN
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or don't go away:
- Mild dizziness or lightheadedness
- Trouble sleeping
- Unusual dreams
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Heartburn
- Weakness
- Mild muscle or joint pain
- Nervousness or anxiety
Serious Side Effects of VISKEN
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- Chest pain
- Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- Cold fingers or toes
- Severe dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Mental or mood changes
- Fever, chills, or sore throat
- Numbness, tingling, or burning
- Short-term memory problems
- Unexplained weight gain
- Swelling of the arms or legs
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark-colored urine
- Clay-colored stools
- Depression
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, which may include hives, rash, severe itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
Interactions with this medication
Other medicines and VISKEN may interfere with each other. These medicines include:
- medicines used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina pectoris), disturbances of heart rhythm,
- digoxin and digitalis glycosides, a heart medicine,
- medicines containing adrenaline or similar substances, such as nose and eye drops, cough medicines, or remedies for the common cold (substances that raise blood pressure),
- insulin or antidiabetic medicines taken by mouth,
- medicines used to relieve pain or inflammation (especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),
- ergot alkaloids, a class of medicines used in the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches,
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (antidepressant drugs),
- medicine used to relieve heartburns and gastrointestinal ulcer (called as cimetidine),
- medicines used to treat anxiety and/or panic disorder, schizophrenia or psychosis.
Proper Use of this medication
Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
How much VISKEN to take:
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Also, the number of doses you take each day and the time allowed between doses depend on the medical problem for which you are taking VISKEN.
Treatment is usually started with the lowest dose. Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose.
In general the average daily dosage for the tablets is in the following ranges:
Usual adult dose:
- High blood pressure
- 5 to 15 mg once daily in the morning.
- Doses of 20 mg should be taken in 2 divided doses in the morning and the evening.
- Angina pectoris (chest pain) and Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- 10 to 30 mg daily in 3 or 4 divided doses.
- Hyperkinetic heart syndrome
- 10 to 20 mg daily
Take VISKEN at the same time each day. Swallow the table(s) with a little liquid with food. Do not stop taking this drug without your doctor's advice.
This drug is not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
Patients at the age of 65 or over may experience more side effects than young patients. Close monitoring by your doctor may be required.
If you have questions about how long to take VISKEN, talk to your doctor or your pharmacist.
Overdose:
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
If you accidentally take a lot more VISKEN tablets than your doctor has prescribed, contact or go to the nearest hospital emergency department or your doctor immediately, or make sure that someone else can contact them for you.
Signs and symptoms caused by taking more of VISKEN can be: abnormally low heartbeat, low blood pressure, low blood sugar; insufficient action of the heart to pump blood which may lead to loss of consciousness; irregular heart beat; heart failure; difficulty breathing with wheezing or coughing; shortness of breath; vomiting; convulsions (seizures); heart attack.
Missed dose:
If you forget to take a dose of VISKEN, take the missed dose as you notice it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosage schedule. Do not double doses.
Other related products
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
