Viskaldix

How does it work?

This medicine contains two active ingredients, pindolol and clopamide. Pindolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers, which block beta receptors in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Blocking these receptors prevents the action of two chemicals called noradrenaline and adrenaline that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations. Blocking the beta receptors in the heart causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. This reduces the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body. This is just one of the ways in which beta blockers help to reduce blood pressure, however, the whole mechanism is not fully understood. Clopamide is known as a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine. Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. The drop in fluid volume results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels, which helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body. The combination of these two medicines is particularly useful in treating high blood pressure.

What is it used for?

Mild to moderate high blood pressure

Warning!

This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

It is recommended that blood tests are performed regularly to monitor the level of potassium in the blood. If this level is too low, potassium supplements may be required.

If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.

As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

If you should require local or general anaesthesia, it is important that you inform your anaesthetist you are taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Diabetes

Elderly people

Gout

Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart

Heart failure

History of allergies

History of chronic obstuctive pulmonary disease

Hyperthyroidism

Kidney failure

Liver failure

Narrowing of arteries in the extremities (peripheral arterial disease)

People who have recently had a heart attack

Psoriasis

Not to be used in

A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)

Allergy to medicines from the sulphonamide group, eg the antibiotic sulphamethoxazole

Angina not well controlled by medical treatment

Breastfeeding

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)

Enlargement of a chamber of the heart (right ventricle) due to high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery (cor pulmonale)

High blood uric acid which is causing symptoms (hyperuricaemia)

High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)

History of asthma

History of breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)

Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis)

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia)

Pregnancy

Severe kidney disease

Severe liver disease

Uncontrolled heart failure

Untreated tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

Very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Discuss this with your doctor.

Label warnings

Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.

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