What Is Pindolol Used For?

What Is Pindolol Used For?

Pindolol (Visken^®) is a prescription beta blocker medication approved for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

 

In clinical studies, pindolol has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, blood pressure medications are thought to decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Pindolol does not, however, cure high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications.

 

How Does Pindolol Work?

Pindolol belongs to a group of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, more often known as beta blockers. As the name implies, these medications block beta receptors in the body. In addition to blocking beta receptors, however, pindolol also very slightly stimulates the beta receptors. Only a few beta blockers do this; this slightly stimulatory action is known as "intrinsic sympathomimetic activity," or ISA.

 

Beta receptors are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. Stress hormones (such as adrenaline) bind to these receptors and cause certain reactions in the body, such as:

 

By blocking beta receptors, pindolol causes the reverse effect of stress hormones and reduces blood pressure. It may have less effect on heart rate and the workload of the heart compared to most other beta blockers, due to the fact that it slightly stimulates the beta receptors.