ranolazine
Brand names: Ranexa
Ranolazine extended-release tablets help treat chronic angina (chest pain). It can be used with other heart medicines.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.30/unit
Generic Available
Yes (15 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ranolazine is used to treat chronic angina, which is chest pain that keeps coming back.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Headache, Constipation
Key warnings
Ranolazine can cause changes in your heart's electrical activity (QT prolongation).
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Start by taking 500 mg of ranolazine twice a day. Your doctor may increase your dose to 1000 mg twice a day, depending on your symptoms. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole; do not crush, break, or chew them.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double your next dose.
Storage
Store ranolazine tablets at room temperature, between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,086 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 10,014 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2005–2025.
Total Reports
10,014
Death-Related Reports
1,295
Hospitalization Reports
4,313
Top Indication
Angina Pectoris
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DEATH | 816 |
| 2 | MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION | 640 |
| 3 | CHEST PAIN | 605 |
| 4 | ANGINA PECTORIS | 594 |
| 5 | STENT PLACEMENT | 582 |
| 6 | DYSPNOEA | 419 |
| 7 | DIZZINESS | 409 |
| 8 | FALL | 368 |
| 9 | CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT | 355 |
| 10 | CARDIAC DISORDER | 298 |
| 11 | MALAISE | 278 |
| 12 | OFF LABEL USE | 275 |
| 13 | DIABETES MELLITUS | 259 |
| 14 | NAUSEA | 253 |
| 15 | DRUG INTERACTION | 248 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Ranolazine Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Do not use ranolazine with strong CYP3A inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and saquinavir [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Ketoconazole stops the body from breaking down ranolazine, which can cause the drug to build up to unsafe levels in your blood.
What to do: Do not use these two medications together because the risk of side effects is too high.
CYP3A Inducers Do not use ranolazine with CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St.
Mechanism: Carbamazepine makes your body get rid of ranolazine too quickly, which prevents the medicine from working as it should.
What to do: Avoid using these drugs together to make sure your treatment stays effective.
( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Ranolazine Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Do not use ranolazine with strong CYP3A inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and saquinavir [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Mechanism: Clarithromycin blocks the enzyme that normally clears ranolazine from your system, leading to a dangerous buildup of the medication.
What to do: This combination should not be used; ask your doctor for a different treatment option.
CYP3A Inducers Do not use ranolazine with CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St.
Mechanism: Rifampin speeds up the liver enzymes that break down ranolazine, which can make the ranolazine stop working.
What to do: Do not use these two medications together.
CYP3A Inducers Do not use ranolazine with CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St.
Mechanism: Phenytoin makes your body clear ranolazine much faster than it should, which lowers the drug's effectiveness.
What to do: You should avoid taking these two medicines at the same time.
Common Questions
Can I crush the tablet?
What should I do if I feel dizzy?
Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking this medicine?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can I take this with my other heart medications?
What if I forget to take my medicine?
Are there any foods I should avoid?
How long will I need to take this medication?
Can this medication cure my angina?
What if I experience chest pain while taking this medication?
What are the common side effects of ranolazine?
Does ranolazine interact with other medications?
What drug class is ranolazine?
Is ranolazine safe during pregnancy?
Has ranolazine been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for ranolazine
The FDA label for ranolazine (sold under brand names such as Ranexa) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Late Sodium Current Inhibitor (Antianginal) class. Ranolazine is used to treat chronic angina, which is chest pain that keeps coming back. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Headache, Constipation.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,086 voluntary reports. The database also lists 31 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.30.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 1 recall record on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages