Ranexa (Ranolazine Er)

Do’

• Before starting Ranexa, read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist, and consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions.
• Take Ranexa by mouth with or without food as directed by your healthcare provider, usually twice daily. Swallow the medication whole.
• The dosage of Ranexa is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Inform your healthcare provider about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
• Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it, and take it at the same times each day to help you remember. 
• Inform your healthcare provider if your condition does not improve or if it worsens, such as if your chest pain happens more often.

Don’ts

• Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets, as doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.
• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication, unless your healthcare provider says it is safe to do so, as grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.
• Do not take more of this medication than your healthcare provider prescribes.
• Ranexa should not be used to treat angina when it occurs. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your healthcare provider.

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Headache

Serious Side Effects:

• Light-headed feeling
• Fast or pounding heartbeats
• Fluttering in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden dizziness, as if you might pass out
• Symptoms of kidney problems such as swelling, urinating less, feeling tired, or shortness of breath.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. If any side effects are experienced, contact a healthcare provider for medical advice. 

Advise patients to inform their healthcare provider of any personal or family history of QTc prolongation, congenital long QT syndrome, or if they are receiving drugs that prolong the QTc interval such as certain antiarrhythmic agents, erythromycin, and certain antipsychotics.

Patients with severe renal impairment may be at risk of renal failure while on Ranexa. Inform a healthcare provider if there is impaired renal function before or while taking Ranexa

Ranexa may cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Patients should be aware of their reaction to Ranexa before operating an automobile or machinery or engaging in activities requiring mental alertness or coordination.

Ranexa can lead to marked and progressive increases in serum creatinine, associated with increases in BUN or potassium, indicating acute renal failure, particularly in patients with severe renal impairment.

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together with Ranexa. Inform all healthcare providers about all medicines being used, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.

This is not a complete list of warnings and precautions. Consult a healthcare provider for comprehensive information and guidance regarding the use of Ranexa.