Ranolazine (ra-NOE-la-zeen)

Treats or prevents angina (chest pain) in patients who have taken other medicine for chest pain. This medicine should be used together with amlodipine (Norvasc®), beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol), or nitrates (Imdur®).

Brand Name(s):

Ranexa

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Long Acting Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Do not use this medicine to treat sudden onset of chest pain.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You must avoid many other medicines while you are using ranolazine. Using these medicines together could cause serious health problems. Some of the medicines you need to avoid are diltiazem, verapamil, cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), dextromethorphan, digoxin (Lanoxin®), medicine to treat fungus infections such as ketoconazole (Nizoral®), medicine to lower cholesterol such as simvastatin (Zocor®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS such as ritonavir, or medicine to treat mental illness such as thioridazine (Mellaril®) or ziprasidone (Geodon®). There could be more medicines you cannot use. This includes herbs, supplements, and medicine you can buy without a prescription (over-the-counter). Ask your doctor before you use any other medicine.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, low potassium in your blood, or a family history of a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when standing or sitting up straight, so stand up or sit up slowly.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blurred vision.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.
• Red or dark brown urine.
• Severe or increased chest pain.
• Trouble breathing.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, nausea, or vomiting.
• Headache.