ranolazine vs verapamil

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Side-by-side comparison of ranolazine and verapamil. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin): Limit ranolazine to 500 mg twice daily. Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors Limit the dose of ranolazine to 500 mg twice daily in patients on moderate CYP3A inhibitors, including diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin, fluconazole, and grapefruit juice or grapefruit-containing products [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].

Drug Class
ranolazine Late Sodium Current Inhibitor (Antianginal)
verapamil Calcium Channel Blocker
Type
ranolazine Prescription
verapamil Prescription
Summary
ranolazine

Ranolazine extended-release tablets help treat chronic angina (chest pain). It can be used with other heart medicines.

verapamil

Verapamil is a drug that helps to lower blood pressure and treat chest pain (angina) and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing down the heart rate.

What It Treats
ranolazine

Ranolazine is used to treat chronic angina, which is chest pain that keeps coming back. It can help you have fewer angina episodes. You can take this medicine with other drugs like beta-blockers or nitrates.

verapamil

Verapamil is used to treat chest pain called angina. This includes angina that happens when you are resting or during normal activity. It is also used to control your heart rate if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Verapamil also treats high blood pressure.

How It Works
ranolazine

Ranolazine works by affecting the sodium channels in your heart cells. This helps to improve blood flow to your heart. It reduces the amount of calcium in your heart, which can help prevent angina.

verapamil

Verapamil belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by blocking calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells. This relaxes and widens blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump.

Common Side Effects
ranolazine
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
verapamil
  • Constipation
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Slow heart rate (less than 50 beats per minute)
  • Nausea
FAERS Reports
ranolazine
  • Death 816
  • Myocardial Infarction 640
  • Chest Pain 605
  • Angina Pectoris 594
  • Stent Placement 582
verapamil
  • Dyspnoea 356
  • Nausea 341
  • Drug Interaction 316
  • Dizziness 286
  • Hypotension 280
Serious Warnings
ranolazine

Ranolazine can cause changes in your heart's electrical activity (QT prolongation). If you have kidney problems, your doctor should check your kidney function. If you develop kidney failure, stop taking ranolazine.

verapamil

You should not take this medicine if you have severe heart problems, very low blood pressure, or certain types of irregular heartbeats without a pacemaker. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these conditions.

Pregnancy
ranolazine

It is not known if ranolazine can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if ranolazine passes into breast milk. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

verapamil

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if verapamil will harm your unborn baby. Verapamil can pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This ranolazine vs verapamil Comparison

ranolazine is classified in the Late Sodium Current Inhibitor (Antianginal) drug class, while verapamil sits within the Calcium Channel Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, ranolazine has 3,237 submissions while verapamil has 1,579. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to verapamil makes it harder for your body to clear ranolazine, which can increase the risk of side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for ranolazine or verapamil.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.