Effects of pindolol on renal function II. Effects on intravenous and prolonged oral dosing

Effects of intravenous and long-term oral dosing with pindolol on renal function were examined in eight hypertensive patients with reduced renal function. (Inulin clearance ranged from 40.5 to 84.5 ml/min/1.73 m2.) Intravenous pindolol resulted in decreased mean heart rate (74.3 to 67 bpm) and decreased mean inulin clearance (66 to 60.5 ml/min/1.73 m2.) Blood pressure and renal plasma flow did not change significantly. Long-term oral pindolol depressed blood pressure and heart rate, but mean inulin clearance was unchanged and renal blood flow and plasma volume increased. A second intravenous pindolol dose, given while the patients were receiving oral doses, resulted in nonsignificant decreases in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, but no change in blood pressure and heart rate. We conclude that prolonged pindolol dosing in patients with reduced renal function had no effect on renal function. When the drug was given intravenously there were small decreases in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow.