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Question: What are the side effects of Ranexa?
Answer:
Ranexa (ranolazine) is the first new medication approved for use for angina (chest pain) in the last 20 years. It also works differently than most other medications available for treating angina.
Most other angina medications work by decreasing the oxygen demand of the heart or by improving blood flow through blood vessels. Ranexa helps the cells in the heart produce more energy even when the oxygen supply is low.
Ranexa should not usually be used by itself. Instead it is most commonly added on to other medications when these medications do not provide adequate relief. So Ranexa is usually used in combination with beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or nitrates.
One of the reasons Ranexa is not a first choice medication is because it can increase the chance of having a heart arrhythmia in some people. This is most likely to happen if Ranexa is combined with other medications that interact with Ranexa. Interactions are a significant concern with Ranexa because many medications can interact with it.
If you are taking Ranexa you should ask your personal pharmacist to review the medications you are taking for potential interactions.
Get more information about Ranexa by reviewing these resources:
Ranexa prescribing information (technical information for pharmacists and physicians)
Answer Posted: July 21, 2008
Answer:
Ranexa (ranolazine) is the first new medication approved for use for angina (chest pain) in the last 20 years. It also works differently than most other medications available for treating angina.
Most other angina medications work by decreasing the oxygen demand of the heart or by improving blood flow through blood vessels. Ranexa helps the cells in the heart produce more energy even when the oxygen supply is low.
Ranexa should not usually be used by itself. Instead it is most commonly added on to other medications when these medications do not provide adequate relief. So Ranexa is usually used in combination with beta-
One of the reasons Ranexa is not a first choice medication is because it can increase the chance of having a heart arrhythmia in some people. This is most likely to happen if Ranexa is combined with other medications that interact with Ranexa. Interactions are a significant concern with Ranexa because many medications can interact with it.
If you are taking Ranexa you should ask your personal pharmacist to review the medications you are taking for potential interactions.
Get more information about Ranexa by reviewing these resources:
Ranexa prescribing information (technical information for pharmacists and physicians)
Answer Posted: July 21, 2008