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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pindolol (Visken)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pindolol, or if you have:

• asthma;
• certain heart conditions, especially second or third degree heart block;
• heart failure; or
• severe slow heart rate.

Before taking pindolol, tell your doctor if you have:

• bronchitis or emphysema;
• diabetes (taking pindolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);
• a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure;
• coronary artery disease;
• low blood pressure;
• liver or kidney disease;
• depression; or
• a thyroid disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take pindolol.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Pindolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take pindolol (Visken)?

Take pindolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not skip doses or stop taking pindolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse, and it can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. You will need to stop using pindolol gradually. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using pindolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Follow your doctor's instructions about gradually reducing your pindolol dose before a surgery.

Pindolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store pindolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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