Drug Name
Generic Name : ranolazine (acycloguanosine)
Brand Name: Ranexa
Classification: Piperazineacetamide, Antianginal
Pregnancy Category C
Dosage & Route
Available forms :ER tablets—500 mg
ADULTS
- 500 mg PO bid; may be increased to maximum of 1,000 mg bid.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
- Safety and efficacy not established.
PATIENTS WITH HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
- Not recommended with mild, moderate, or severe hepatic impairment.
Therapeutic actions
- Antianginal, anti-ischemic. Mechanism of action is not known. Prolongs the QT interval; does not decrease heart rate or blood pressure; decreases myocardial workload.
Indications
- Treatment of chronic angina in patients who have not responded adequately to other antianginal drugs; used with amlodipine, beta-blockers, nitrates
Adverse effects
- CNS: Dizziness, headache, tinnitus, vertigo
- CV: Palpitations, peripheral edema, prolonged QT interval
- GI: Nausea, constipation, dry mouth, vomiting, abdominal pain
- Respiratory: Dyspnea
Contraindications
- Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to any component of the drug; pre-existing QT prolongation, concurrent use of QT-interval prolonging drugs; hepatic impairment; concurrent use of potent or moderately potent CYP3A inhibitors, including diltiazem; lactation.
- Use caution in severe renal impairment, history of ventricular tachycardia, pregnancy.
Nursing considerations
Assessment
- History: Allergy to any component of the tablet, pre-existing QT-interval prolongation, concurrent use of QT-interval prolonging drugs, hepatic impairment, concurrent use of potent or moderately potent CYP3A inhibitors, renal failure, pregnancy, lactation.
- Physical: Orientation, reflexes; BP; respiratory evaluation; baseline ECG, LFTs, and renal function tests
Interventions
- Obtain baseline ECG, LFTs, and renal function tests before starting therapy.
- Ensure that patient swallows tablets whole; do not cut, crush, or let patient chew the tablets.
- Ensure that patient continues to use other prescribed antianginal medications.
- Advise patient to avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit products while using this drug.
- Suggest use of contraceptive measures while taking this drug; potential effects on a fetus are not known.
- Advise nursing mothers that another method of feeding the baby will be needed while taking this drug.
- Provide safety measures if dizziness and lightheadedness occur.
Teaching points
- Take this drug twice a day. Swallow the tablet whole; do not cut, crush, or chew it.
- If you miss a dose of the daily medication, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your usual routine. Do not take more than two doses in one day.
- Do not take this drug for an acute anginal attack; this drug helps chronic chest pain. Continue to use your other angina drugs as prescribed.
- You may be asked to have periodic ECGs and blood tests to monitor the effects of this drug on your body.
- Do not consume grapefruit juice or grapefruit products while taking this drug.
- It is not known how this drug could affect a nursing baby. If you are nursing a baby, you should select another method of feeding the baby.
- It is not known how this drug could affect a fetus. If you are pregnant or decide to become pregnant while on this drug, consult your health care provider.
- You may experience these side effects: dizziness, lightheadedness (if this occurs, avoid driving a car or operating dangerous machinery); headache, constipation (consult your health care provider because medications may be available to help).
- Report palpitations, fainting spells, severe constipation.