Indication: For the management of hypertension, edema, ventricular tachycardias, and atrial fibrillation.
Pharmacology: Pindolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist (beta-blocker) which possesses intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in therapeutic dosage ranges but does not possess quinidine-like membrane stabilizing activity. Pindolol impairs AV node conduction and decreases sinus rate and may also increase plasma triglycerides and decrease HDL-cholesterol levels. Pindolol is nonpolar and hydrophobic, with low to moderate lipid solubility. Pindolol has little to no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and, unlike some other beta-adrenergic blocking agents, pindolol has little direct myocardial depressant activity and does not have an anesthetic-like membrane-stabilizing action.
Mechanism Of Action: Pindolol non-selectively blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors mainly in the heart, inhibiting the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine resulting in a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. By binding beta-2 receptors in the juxtaglomerular apparatus, Pindolol inhibits the production of renin, thereby inhibiting angiotensin II and aldosterone production and therefore inhibits the vasoconstriction and water retention due to angiotensin II and aldosterone, respectively.
Absorption: Rapidly and reproducibly absorbed (bioavailability greater than 95%).
Interactions:
DrugBank: Interactions for Pindolol
Interactions for Pindolol:
Catecholamine-depleting drugs (e.g., reserpine) may have an additive effect when given with beta-blocking agents.
Patients receiving pindolol plus a catecholamine-depleting agent should, therefore, be closely observed for evidence
of hypotension and/or marked bradycardia which may produce vertigo, syncope, or postural hypotension.
Pindolol has been used with a variety of antihypertensive agents, including hydrochlorothiazide, hydralazine, and
guanethidine without unexpected adverse interactions.
Pindolol has been shown to increase serum thioridazine levels when both drugs are co-administered. Pindolol levels
may also be increased with this combination.
Risk of anaphylactic reaction: While taking beta blockers, patients with a history of severe
anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge, either accidental,
diagnostic, or therapeutic. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat
allergic reactions.
Chemical IUPAC Name: 1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(1-methylethylamino)propan-2-ol
