Non-selective β-blocker (with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)

Pindolol

Brand names: Visken

Pindolol is a non-selective beta-blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic (partial agonist) activity, used in hypertension and angina.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It blocks beta-adrenoceptors while exerting partial agonist activity, reducing heart rate and blood pressure with relatively less resting bradycardia than agents without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Prescribing in practice

Avoid abrupt withdrawal, which can precipitate rebound angina, hypertension or arrhythmia; taper gradually.
Use with caution in asthma and other obstructive airways disease because of the risk of bronchospasm.
Caution in combination with other rate-limiting agents such as verapamil or diltiazem owing to additive negative chronotropic effects.

Monitoring

Monitor heart rate and blood pressure, and review for signs of heart failure or bronchospasm.

Counselling the patient

Do not stop the medicine suddenly without medical advice.
Report wheeze, marked slow pulse, dizziness or cold extremities.
It may mask the warning signs of low blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Evidence & guidelines

Beta-blockers are long-established antihypertensive and antianginal agents; choice of agent should follow current UK guidance such as NICE.

Reference: NICE NG136; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways