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In this Article

• What is ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• What are the possible side effects of ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• What is the most important information I should know about ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• How should I take ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Ranexa)?
• What happens if I overdose (Ranexa)?
• What should I avoid while taking ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• What other drugs will affect ranolazine (Ranexa)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking ranolazine (Ranexa)?

You should not take ranolazine if you have liver disease. Ranolazine should not be taken together with certain medicines to treat heart rhythm disorders, infections, HIV or AIDS, seizures, mental illness, pain, cancer, or stomach disorders. Before you take ranolazine, tell your doctor about all other medications you are using.

Ranolazine is not for use during an acute (emergency) attack of angina. Continue using any other medicines prescribed by your doctor (such as nitroglycerin) to treat acute angina.

If you have certain conditions or take certain medications, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take ranolazine, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially if you have a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome." Also tell your doctor about all other medications you use regularly.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ranolazine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if ranolazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ranolazine (Ranexa)?

Take ranolazine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Ranolazine may be taken with or without food.

Chronic angina is often treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Do not take more than 1000 milligrams of ranolazine two times per day.

Store ranolazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.