Rationale for use

Prescribing ranolazine as an adjunct for the management of
on-going symptoms in patients with chronic stable angina
The guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer. Ranolazine (Ranexa®) is a novel anti-anginal therapy, and its mechanism of action is poorly understood. It is hypothesised that it exerts an anti-anginal effect by inhibition of the late sodium current in cardiac cells, resulting in improved myocardial relaxation, and therefore reduced diastolic stiffness. Ranolazine is listed by NICE as an option for the treatment of chronic stable angina. Ranolazine is approved for use locally as an option for the management of on-going angina
symptoms despite the use of first-line anti-anginal therapies such as beta-blockers or calcium
channel blockers. Ranolazine may be particularly useful where the use of other anti-anginal therapies is
limited by bradycardia (heart rate < 50 beats per minute) or hypotension (systolic blood pressure <
90mmHg), as it has little effect on heart rate or blood pressure. It may also be useful where first-line anti-
anginal therapies are contraindicated or not tolerated.

See also SLCSN algorithm ‘Optimising Prescribing in Chronic Stable Angina’ at

Pay careful attention to the contraindications, cautions and drug interactions listed below before
initiating therapy.
Contra-indications
Cautions
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of its excipients – note the 750mg tablet contains lactose Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance Concomitant administration of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, Patients with moderate to severe HF (NYHA clarithromycin, telithromycin, nefazadone) Concomitant administration of class Ia or class III anti-arrhythmics, except amiodarone (e.g. quinidine, acquired QT interval prolongation or patients Concomitant administration of CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. taking drugs known to prolong QTc interval rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, St Johns Wort) See overleaf for details of drug interactions with ranolazine.

Initiation and dose titration:
Ranolazine should be initiated at a dose of 375mg twice daily, increasing to 500mg twice
daily after two to four weeks therapy.
If episodes of anginal chest pain still occur after two to four weeks therapy, a further
dose increase to a maximum dose of 750mg twice daily may be considered.
Ranolazine tablets must be swallowed whole, and must not be crushed, broken or chewed. They can be taken with or without food. Monitoring:
Renal function declines with age, and is therefore important to monitor renal function regularly throughout
treatment with ranolazine – renal checks should be performed at least annually, but more frequently if
clinically indicated
Agreed by SLCSN Pharmacy Working Group: 19th March 2013 Adverse effects (see BNF and / or SPC for full list of possible adverse effects)
Adverse effects to ranolazine are usually reported within the first two weeks of therapy and are generally
mild to moderate in severity. Commonly reported side effects (occurring in between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100
patients) include dizziness and headache, constipation, nausea and vomiting and asthenia.
There is an increased risk of dose-related adverse effects in the elderly, patients of low bodyweight (≤
60kg) and patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.
Ranolazine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, confusional state and hallucination, which may affect the
ability to drive and use machines.
Should a patient experience dose–related adverse effects during treatment, such as dizziness, nausea
and vomiting, down-titration of the ranolazine dose to 500mg or 375mg twice daily should be considered.
If symptoms persist, ranolazine therapy should be discontinued.
Common Drug interactions (for full list of interacting drugs see BNF / SPC)
Mechanism of action/Significance and Action
Interacting Drug
to be taken
(e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, Concomitant use contraindicated. Significantly posaconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, clarithromycin, increases plasma levels of ranolazine leading to telithromycin, nefazodone). Grapefruit juice. Antiarrhythmics: Class Ia (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide) or Class III (e.g. dofetilide, sotalol) other than amiodarone. Concomitant treatment with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. diltiazem, fluconazole, erythromycin) Increased plasma levels of ranolazine leading to and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors (e.g. verapamil, increased risk of dose related side effects. ciclosporin) CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, St. John's Wort) Co-administration with CYP3A4 inducers is expected to lead to lack of efficacy. CYP3A4 substrates with a narrow therapeutic range (e.g. Concomitant administration of ranolazine may ciclosporin, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus). increase plasma levels - dose adjustment of these drugs may be necessary. Monitor plasma levels carefully. Metoprolol or other CYP2D6 substrates (e.g. propafenone Concomitant administration of ranolazine may and flecainide or, to a lesser extent, tricyclic increase plasma levels of these drugs. Dose Co-administration with CYP2B6 substrates (e.g. Caution advised – concomitant administration has bupropion, efavirenz, cyclophosphamide). Increased digoxin levels. Monitor digoxin levels at initiation, throughout therapy and on cessation of ranolazine therapy Maximum dose of simvastatin 20mg daily – or consider alternative statin. Rhabdomyolysis has been seen with higher doses of simvastatin. Drugs known to prolong the QTc interval including certain Theoretical risk that concomitant treatment with antihistamines (e.g. terfenadine, astemizole, mizolastine), ranolazine may increase the possible risk of certain antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide), erythromycin, and tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. imipramine, doxepin, amitriptyline) As a black triangle drug for this indication all adverse effects should be reported
to the CSM using the yellow card system, even if well documented, in addition to any
local reporting arrangements
References
1. Summary of Product Characteristics, Ranexa. Amended 24.04.2012. Accessed at:
2. NICE CG126 guidance. Management of chronic stable angina 2011 Agreed by SLCSN Pharmacy Working Group: 19th March 2013

Source: http://www.slcsn.nhs.uk/files/prescribing/ranolazine-chronic-stable-angina-032013.pdf