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Ranexa®
(rah NEX ah)
(ranolazine) extended-release tablets
Dosing Strengths: 500 mg tablets 1000 mg tablets

Read this Patient Information before you start taking Ranexa and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What is Ranexa?

Ranexa is a prescription medicine used to treat angina that keeps coming back (chronic angina).

Ranexa may be used with other medicines that are used for heart problems and blood pressure control.

It is not known if Ranexa is safe and effective in children.

Who should not take Ranexa?

Do not take Ranexa if:

• you take any of the following medicines:
  • for fungus infection: ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®, Onmel)
  • for infection: clarithromycin (Biaxin®)
  • for depression: nefazodone
  • for HIV: nelfinavir (Viracept®), ritonavir (Norvir®), lopinavir and ritonavir (Kaletra®) indinavir (Crixivan®), saquinavir (Invirase®)
  • for tuberculosis (TB): rifampin (Rifadin®), rifabutin (Mycobutin®), rifapentin (Priftin®)
  • for seizures: phenobarbital, phenytoin (Phenytek®, Dilantin® Dilantin-125®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®)
  • St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• you have scarring (cirrhosis) of your liver

What should I tell my doctor before taking Ranexa?

Before you take Ranexa, tell your doctor if you:

• have or have a family history of a heart problem, called 'QT prolongation' or 'long QT syndrome'.
• have liver problems.
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Ranexa will harm your unborn baby.
• are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if Ranexa passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Ranexa or breast-feed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Ranexa may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how Ranexa works.

Tell your doctor if you take medicines:

• for your heart
• for cholesterol
• for infection
• for fungus
• for transplant
• for nausea and vomiting because of cancer treatments
• for mental problems

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take Ranexa?

• Take Ranexa exactly as your doctor tells you.
• Your doctor will tell you how much Ranexa to take and when to take it.
  • Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
• Tell your doctor if you still have symptoms of angina after starting Ranexa.
• Take Ranexa by mouth, with or without food.
• Swallow the Ranexa tablets whole. Do not crush, break, or chew Ranexa tablets before swallowing.
• If you miss a dose of Ranexa, wait to take the next dose of Ranexa at your regular time. Do not make up for the missed dose. Do not take more than 1 dose at a time.
• If you take too much Ranexa, call your doctor, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What should I avoid while taking Ranexa?

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Limit products that have grapefruit in them. They can cause your blood levels of Ranexa to increase.
• Ranexa can cause dizziness, lightheadness, or fainting. If you have these symptoms, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert.

What are the possible side effects of Ranexa?

Ranexa may cause serious side effects, including:

• changes in the electrical activity of your heart called QT prolongation. Your doctor may check the electrical activity of your heart with an ECG. Tell your doctor right away if you feel faint, lightheaded, or feel your heart beating irregularly or fast while taking Ranexa. These may be symptoms related to QT prolongation.

The most common side effects of Ranexa include:

• dizziness
• headache
• constipation
• nausea

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Ranexa. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1800-FDA-1088.

How should I store Ranexa?

Store Ranexa tablets at room temperature between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C )

Keep Ranexa and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about Ranexa

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in Patient Information. Do not use Ranexa for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Ranexa to other people, even if they have the same condition you have. It may harm them.

The Patient Information summarizes the most important information about Ranexa. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about Ranexa that is written for health professionals.

For more information, go to www.ranexa.com or call Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 1-800-445-3235.

What is chronic angina?

Chronic angina means pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, shoulder, back, or arm that keeps coming back. There are other possible signs and symptoms of angina including shortness of breath. Angina usually comes on when you are active or under stress. Chronic angina is a symptom of a heart problem called coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD). When you have CHD, the blood vessels in your heart become stiff and narrow. Oxygen-rich blood cannot reach your heart muscle easily. Angina comes on when too little oxygen reaches your heart muscle.

What are the ingredients in Ranexa?

Active ingredient: ranolazine

Inactive ingredients: 500 mg tablet: carnauba wax, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer (Type C), microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, titanium dioxide, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, Iron Oxide Yellow, and Iron Oxide Red.

1000 mg tablet: carnauba wax, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer (Type C), microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, titanium dioxide, lactose monohydrate, triacetin, and Iron Oxide Yellow.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/12/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.