Ranolazine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat angina (chest pain which occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood supply).
Take Ranolazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Ranolazine is available as an extended-release tablet or granules.
If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet (usually labelled as "ER"), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the extended-release type of granules, sprinkle the granules on 1 tablespoonful of applesauce or yoghurt then consume immediately. Do not crush or chew the granules.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Ranolazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- moderate to severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
as Ranolazine may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Ranolazine with medicines used to treat fungal infection, HIV infection, TB (an infection known as tuberculosis), epilepsy (fits or seizures), irregular heartbeat, and certain antibiotics. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- low body weight (60 kg or less)
- heart rhythm disorder
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
- mild liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, blood potassium levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
Ranolazine may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, ringing in the ears, muscle cramps, and generalised weakness or lack of energy.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- palpitations, fits or seizures, fainting or passing out
- hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent), confusion, anxiety
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Ranolazine with the following medicines:
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, telithromycin
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, saquinavir
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. disopyramide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [an infection known as tuberculosis])
- nefazodone (medicine to treat depression)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- certain medicines for heart disease e.g. verapamil, metoprolol, diltiazem, digoxin
- metformin (medicine for diabetes)
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin
- certain medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, mizolastine, terfenadine
- medicines for mood disorders
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus, everolimus, sirolimus
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Ranolazine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (more than 1 litre a day).
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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