Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Pindolol.
Breathing problems: People with asthma and certain other breathing problems should, in general, not take a beta-blocker such as pindolol. If you have these types of conditions and your doctor prescribed pindolol for you, it may be at a lower dose, and your doctor will monitor you regularly while you are taking Pindolol.
Congestive heart failure (CHF): Pindolol may make heart failure worse. If you have CHF, discuss with your doctor how Pindolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pindolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Diabetes: The signs of low blood sugar may not be as noticeable when taking pindolol. If you have diabetes and take insulin or another medication that works by reducing the sugar in the blood, be cautious and monitor your blood sugar carefully while taking Pindolol.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Dizziness or fatigue may occur when starting treatment with Pindolol. This may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. Exercise caution with these activities until you find out whether the medication affects you in this way.
Hyperthyroidism (high level of Thyroid hormones): Pindolol may mask symptoms of high levels of thyroid in the body. People with hyperthyroidism should be cautious while taking pindolol, as it may reduce the symptoms of this condition giving a false impression of improvement. Stopping pindolol suddenly could worsen this condition.
Liver disease: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Pindolol to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Pindolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pindolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Low Blood Pressure: Occasionally, blood pressure may drop too low after taking pindolol, causing dizziness or lightheadedness. Move slowly when moving from a lying down or sitting position to a standing position to prevent dizziness, especially when you first start taking Pindolol.
Psoriasis: Pindolol and other beta-blockers may aggravate or worsen psoriasis. If you have psoriasis, discuss with your doctor how Pindolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pindolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Severe allergies: People with allergies severe enough to cause Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (a severe allergic reaction where swelling of the face, lips, and throat makes it difficult to breathe) should talk to their doctor about what to do if they have an allergic reaction. Pindolol may make it more difficult to treat their allergic reaction with Epinephrine.
Skin conditions: Various skin rashes and dry eyes have been reported with use of Pindolol.
Stopping usage: Pindolol should not be stopped suddenly by those who are taking it to treat angina. There have been reports of severe worsening of angina, and of Heart Attack or abnormal heart rhythms occurring in people with angina who have stopped Pindolol abruptly.
Surgery: If you are scheduled for surgery, inform all doctors involved in your care that you are taking Pindolol.
Pregnancy: The safety of Pindolol for use by pregnant women has not been established. It should not be taken by pregnant women unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Pindolol, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Pindolol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Pindolol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Pindolol have not been established for children.
