Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine, even if you have taken VISKEN® tablets before. If you have any questions, or are unsure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist) for advice.

VISKEN® tablets contain pindolol.

The tablets are available in two strengths. They contain either:

• 5mg pindolol (tablets marked VISKEN® 5) or
• 15mg pindolol (tablets marked VISKEN® 15).

The 5mg tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, talc, and mannitol.

The 15mg tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: magnesium stearate, cellulose, colloidal anhydrous silica and starch.

Packs of VISKEN® 5mg contain 100 tablets

Packs of VISKEN® 15mg contain 30 tablets

VISKEN® belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It is used to help lower your blood pressure and may also be used to prevent angina attacks.

VISKEN® tablets are manufactured by: SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS Limited

Calverley Lane

Horsforth

Leeds, LS18 4RP

Product licence holder: SANDOZ PHARMACEUTICALS

Sandoz Pharmaceuticals (UK) Ltd

Frimley Business Park

Frimley, Camberley

Surrey, GU16 5SG

VISKEN® can be used to help to lower your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure (hypertension). It can also be used to help to stop attacks of angina.

Tell your doctor before you start taking VISKEN® tablets if the answer to any of the following questions is yes:

• Do you suspect that you have had an allergic reaction to, or been upset by any of the ingredients in VISKEN® tablets (listed in "What's in your medicine")?
• Do you suffer from, or have you ever suffered from asthma or wheezing attacks?
• Do you suffer from any other disease affecting your chest or lungs?
• Do you suffer from any heart problems other than those for which you are being treated with VISKEN®?
• Do you suffer from problems with your circulation?
• Have you been told that you suffer from low blood sugar levels?
• Do you suffer from diabetes?
• Do you have kidney or severe liver problems?
• Have you been told that you have high blood pressure due to a tumour near your kidney (phaeochromocytoma)?
• Are you pregnant, or planning to become pregnant? If you do become pregnant whilst taking VISKEN® tablets, tell your doctor.
• Are you breast feeding?
• Are you in the process of fasting?
• Have you been told that you are going to have an operation which would require an anaesthetic?
• Has the medicine been prescribed for the treatment for someone who is less than 16 years of age?
• Are you taking any other medicines (either bought or prescribed)? Some medicines can interfere with your treatment, so make sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines. In panticular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines for the treatment of:
• ulcers (eg cimetidine)
• depression or mental illness
• high blood pressure (eg reserpine)
• migraine
• menopausal flushing
• breathing difficulties
• relief of pain (eg aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen)

If you have just started taking VISKEN® tablets and feel tired or dizzy, you should not drive or use machinery.

Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. He/She will tell you how many VISKEN® tablets to take and how often you should take them. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The dose of VISKEN® varies depending on the illness for which you are being treated. For hypertension (high blood pressure), patients usually start treatment with either 15mg VISKEN® taken once daily with breakfast, or 5mg VISKEN® taken two or three times a day. The dose may then be increased to one that is ideal for you. Most patients respond to 15 to 30mg VISKEN® per day, but some patients need higher doses than this to control their blood pressure.

If you accidentally take too many tablets, tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest casualty department.

Most people who are prescribed VISKEN® will benefit from taking it, but a few people can be upset by it.

Side-effects that have sometimes been reported include headache, diarrhoea, nausea (feeling sick), stomach aches, tremor (shaking), difficulty in sleeping, depression, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, lightheadedness, skin rash and dry eyes.

If you feel wheezy, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you suffer from any of these effects or from any other side-effects not mentioned in this leaflet.

Store your tablets in a dry place at room temperature.

Store your tablets in a safe place where children cannot reach them. Your tablets could harm them.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the carton/foil.

If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, return any leftover medicine to the pharmacist. Only keep it if your doctor tells you to.

LEAFLET REVISED: July 1994

Remove the tablet from the foil (as shown in the picture)

Place the tablet in your mouth

Take a mouthful of water

It may take several weeks for you to feel the full benefit of VISKEN®. Do not stop taking your medicine unless you are told to do so by your doctor.

5mg Tablets : PL 0101/0065

15mg Tablets : PL 0101/0110