Ranexa (Ranolazine) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Angina »

Angina facts

Angina is one of many causes of chest pain.
Angina is chest pain that is a result of inadequate oxygen supply to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary arteries.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), exercise stress test, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac catheterization are important in the diagnosis of angina.
Treatment of angina includes rest, medications, angioplasty, and/or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Introduction to angina

Angina is one of the serious causes of chest pain. “Angina” is an abbreviation of angina pectoris, a Latin term for “squeezing of the chest.” Chest pain is a common symptom caused by many different conditions. Some causes require prompt medical attention, such as angina, heart attack, blood clots i...

Read the Angina article »

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Ranexa Consumer

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.

RANOLAZINE EXTENDED-RELEASE - ORAL

(ra-NOE-la-zeen)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ranexa

USES: Ranolazine is used with other medications to treat a certain type of chest pain (chronic stable angina). It decreases the number of times you may get chest pain. Relieving symptoms of angina can increase your ability to exercise and perform strenuous work.

Ranolazine works differently than other drugs for angina, so it can be used with your other angina medications (e.g., nitrates, calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, beta blockers such as metoprolol). It is thought to work by improving how well the heart uses oxygen so that it can do more work with less oxygen.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usually twice daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Doing so will destroy the slow release of the drug, which may decrease its effectiveness and increase your risk of side effects.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication. Grapefruit can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking (see Drug Interactions section). Do not take more of this medication than your doctor prescribes. Do not take more than 1000 milligrams twice a day.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat angina when it occurs. Use other medications (e.g., sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (e.g., your chest pain happens more often).