Do you sometimes have persistent, annoying chest pain? Although it is not as severe as a heart attack, it can be so annoying that you cannot do your daily activities. In medicine, we call this chronic angina. So, to control this condition, a doctor may prescribe you a medicine called Ranolazine. This is a bit of a special medicine. So let's talk about it simply and clearly today.
What kind of medicine is Ranolazine?
Simply put, ranolazine is a heart medication. It is used to control chronic angina .
One very important thing to remember: This medicine is only used to control persistent chest pain. It will not relieve a sudden, severe chest pain (acute angina attack). There are different medicines to use in such cases.
Also, sometimes doctors may use this medicine for other medical conditions. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health before prescribing ranolazine. So if you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
- Heart disease: If you have other heart conditions.
- Irregular heartbeat: If the heartbeat is unusually fast, slow , or has an irregular heartbeat or rhythm.
- Kidney disease: If you have any kidney disease.
- Liver disease: If there is a problem with liver function.
- Low potassium or magnesium levels: If you have previously been diagnosed with low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood.
- Allergies: If you have an allergy to ranolazine, any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: If you are a breastfeeding mother.
By telling these things in advance, your doctor can determine the most appropriate and safest treatment for you.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
Because this medicine comes in the form of small granules, there is a special way to take it.
1. This should be taken with a glass of water.
2. Place the entire amount of granules in the medicine packet into a teaspoon of a soft food such as applesauce or yogurt.
3. Then, swallow the food mixed with the medicine immediately without chewing . Do not chew the medicine.
4. Avoid taking this medicine with grapefruit juice or alcohol.
5. Continue using this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
Is this medicine given to children?
This medicine is not usually given to children. However, if a doctor recommends it in a special case, special care should be taken.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not take this lightly.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Therefore, never share your medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Ranolazine can interact with other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Do not take Ranolazine with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Drug category | Examples |
| Some antibiotics | Clarithromycin, Rifampin, Rifabutin |
| Antivirals for HIV or Hepatitis | (Ask the doctor) |
| Medicines for fungal infections | Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Voriconazole |
| Medication for irregular heartbeat | Dronedarone |
| Some medications for seizures | Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital |
| Other | Cisapride, Nefazodone, Pimozide, St. John's wort |
| Be very careful when taking Ranolazine with these things. | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Alcohol |
| Some cholesterol-lowering medications | Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin |
| Medications for mental illness, depression, and anxiety | (Ask the doctor) |
| Other medications | Cyclosporine, Digoxin, Diltiazem, Metformin, Verapamil |
| Grapes or grape juice | Grapefruit or grapefruit juice |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke, or if you drink alcohol.
Things to consider when taking medication
- See your doctor regularly: After starting the medication, go for regular check-ups as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, and doing other tasks that require alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
- Don't get up suddenly: Don't get up suddenly from a sitting position or from bed, especially if you are elderly. Doing so can cause dizziness and you may fall.
- No alcohol: Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of this medication, so avoid drinking alcohol completely.
- Before surgery: If you are scheduled to have any surgery or other medical procedure, inform the doctor in advance that you are taking this medication.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, ranolazine can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heart rhythm changes | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, feeling faint, blurred vision. |
| Swelling of the limbs | Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Other serious symptoms | Tingling or numbness in the limbs, changes in vision, ringing in the ears, tremors. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | |
| Dizziness | |
| Headache | |
| Nausea | |
How do you store and dispose of medication safely?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use expired medicine.
- If you need to get rid of unused, expired medications, it's best to ask your doctor about it. If not, if it's safe to throw the medication in the trash, mix it with coffee grounds, a little soil, or cat litter, put it in a tightly sealed bag, and throw it in the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Ranolazine is a medication used to treat chronic angina, not a treatment for heart attacks.
- When taking this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Be especially careful about the method of taking the medicine.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you may have.
- Be careful when driving and doing tasks that require attention, as dizziness and drowsiness may occur.
- If you experience any serious side effects (such as severe allergic reactions, changes in heart rate), seek medical advice immediately.
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