Viskazide: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What VISKAZIDE is used for:

• VISKAZIDE is used in adults to lower high blood pressure.

How VISKAZIDE works:

VISKAZIDE contains a combination of 2 drugs, pindolol and hydrochlorothiazide:

• Pindolol is a ß-adrenergic-receptor-blocking agent. It widens the blood vessels which lowers blood pressure.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or “water pill” that increases urination. This lowers blood pressure.

This medicine does not cure high blood pressure. It helps to control it. Therefore, it is important to continue taking VISKAZIDE regularly even if you feel fine.

The ingredients in VISKAZIDE are:

Medicinal ingredient(s): Pindolol and hydrochlorothiazide

Non-medicinal ingredients: Cellulose microcrystalline, magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, silica colloidal anhydrous.

VISKAZIDE comes in the following dosage form(s):

Tablets; 10 mg/25 mg and 10 mg/50 mg

Do not use VISKAZIDE if:

• You are allergic to pindolol, any beta blocker, hydrochlorothiazide, or to any non-medicinal ingredient in the formulation
• You are allergic to any sulfonamide-derived drugs (sulfa drugs); most of them have a medicinal ingredient that ends in “-MIDE”
• You have difficulty urinating or produce no urine
• You have or have had bronchial asthma, other lung diseases, or trouble in breathing
• You have a severe heart disease, or have a condition called Cor pulmonale (where the right ventricle of the heart is enlarged because of a lung condition)
• You have chest pain, mainly occurring at rest, or angina
• You have an irregular or unusually slow heartbeat (less than 45 to 50 beats per minute)
• You have had sudden loss of consciousness in the past
• You have severe blood flow disturbances of your blood vessels causing paleness or poor circulation in the arms and legs (cold hands or feet)
• You have a condition called pheochromocytoma (a type of tumor of the adrenal glands)
• You are undergoing a procedure where you will be receiving anesthesia

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take VISKAZIDE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• Are allergic to penicillin
• Have diabetes and are taking insulin, or oral diabetes medications
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Have lupus or gout
• Are dehydrated or suffer from excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating
• Have blood circulation problems (symptoms such as paleness, cold hands or feet)
• Have an overactive thyroid
• Have chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Have psoriasis (a type of skin disease characterized by thickened patches of red/silver skin)
• Are having any kind of surgery or dental treatment
• Are experiencing eye problems (symptoms like dry, gritty or burning eyes)
• Have had skin cancer or have a family history of skin cancer
• Have a greater chance of developing skin cancer because you have light-coloured skin, get sunburned easily, or are taking drugs to suppress your immune system
• Have had breathing or lung problems (including inflammation or fluid in the lungs) in the past following the use of medication containing hydrochlorothiazide. If you experience any severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after taking VISKAZIDE. stop the medication and seek medical attention immediately

• Are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant

• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Other warnings you should know about:

Risk of skin cancer: VISKAZIDE contains hydrochlorothiazide. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide may increase the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer. The risk is higher if you have been taking VISKAZIDE for many years (more than 3) or at a high dose.

While taking VISKAZIDE:

• Make sure to regularly check your skin for any new lesions. Check areas that are most exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest and back.
• Limit your exposure to the sun and to indoor tanning. Always use sunscreen (SPF-30 or higher) and wear protective clothing when going outside.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you get more sensitive to the sun or UV light or if you develop an unexpected skin lesion (such as a lump, bump, sore, or patch) during the treatment.

Eye problems: Hydrochlorothiazide in VISKAZIDE can cause sudden eye disorders:

• Choroidal effusion: an abnormal building of liquid in your eye that may result in vision changes
• Myopia: sudden nearsightedness or blurred vision.
• Glaucoma: an increased pressure in your eyes, eye pain. If left untreated, it may lead to permanent vision loss. If your vision changes, stop taking VISKAZIDE and seek immediate medical help. These eye disorders are related and can develop within hours to weeks of starting VISKAZIDE.

These eye disorders are related and can develop within hours to weeks of starting VISKAZIDE. You may become sensitive to the sun while taking VISKAZIDE. Exposure to sunlight should be minimized until you know how you respond.

Driving and using machines: Before you perform tasks, which may require special attention, wait until you know how you respond to VISKAZIDE. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting can occur, especially after the first dose and when the dose is increased.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with VISKAZIDE:

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) used to treat West Syndrome
• Alcohol, barbiturates (sleeping pills), or narcotics (strong pain medications)
• Amphotericin B, an antifungal drug
• Anticancer drugs, including cyclophosphamide and methotrexate
• Antidepressants, in particular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including citalopram, escitalopram, and sertraline
• Anesthetics, used to prevent pain and sensation during surgery or medical procedures
• Drugs blocking adrenaline effects
• Antidiabetic drugs, including insulin and oral medicines
• Bile acid resins used to lower cholesterol
• Calcium or vitamin D supplements
• Corticosteroids used to treat joint pain and swelling
• Digoxin and digitalis glycosides, heart medications
• Drugs that slow down or speed up bowel function, including atropine, metoclopramide, and domperidone
• Drugs used to treat epilepsy, including carbamazepine and topiramate
• Gout medications, including allopurinol and probenecid
• Lithium used to treat bipolar disease
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib, used to reduce pain and swelling
• Other blood pressure lowering drugs. When taken in combination with VISKAZIDE, they may cause excessively low blood pressure
• Skeletal muscle relaxants used to relieve muscle spasms, including tubocurare
• Drugs used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris), disturbances of heart rhythm
• Drugs containing adrenaline or similar substances, such as nose and eye drops, cough medicines, or remedies for the common cold (substances that raise blood pressure)
• Ergot alkaloids, a class of drugs used in the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches
• Drugs used to relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal ulcer (called cimetidine)
• Drugs used to treat anxiety and/or panic disorder, schizophrenia or psychosis
• Fingolimod, a medicine used to treat multiple sclerosis

How to take VISKAZIDE:

• Take VISKAZIDE exactly as prescribed. It is recommended to take your dose at about the same time every day in the morning.

• If VISKAZIDE causes upset stomach, take it with food or milk.

Usual dose:

The usual recommended dose is one or two tablets once a day. Your healthcare professional will tell you how much VISKAZIDE to take.

Overdose:

Overdose symptoms may include:

• abnormally low heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• low blood sugar
• insufficient action of the heart to pump blood which may lead to loss of consciousness
• irregular heart beat
• heart failure
• difficulty breathing with wheezing or coughing
• shortness of breath
• vomiting
• convulsions (seizures)
• heart attack
• coma
• death

Missed dose:

If you have forgotten to take your dose during the day, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the usual time. Do not take a double dose.

Possible side effects from using VISKAZIDE:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking VISKAZIDE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

• muscle cramps, spasms, and pain, weakness, fatigue, restlessness
• dizziness, pins and needles in your fingers, headache
• abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, upset stomach, enlargement of the glands in your mouth
• reduced libido
• bleeding under the skin, rash, red patches on the skin

VISKAZIDE can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting side effects

Storage:

• Follow the instructions on the package. Do not use after the expiry date shown on the box.
• Store in the original package, protect from light.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about VISKAZIDE:

• Talk to your healthcare professional

• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-

  • product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.xediton.com; or by calling 1-800 XEDITON (933-4866).

VISKAZIDE is a registered trademark under license with Novartis.

Date of Authorization: 2026-09-25