Ranexa

[Platypus6]

Had a check up yesterday with cardiology, was told I have angina and was given a prescription for Ranexa for four months is anyone on this and are they having any side effects.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Platypus6

Ranolazine is a bit like marmite. For some people it really helps others have side effects and need to stop.

You are usually started on 375mgs tablets for a couple of weeks and then it is increased to 500mgs then 750mgs

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/ranola...

I took Ranolazine for a while but needed to stop as I got horrible palpitations. I also weigh just above 60kgs and care is needed in its use if you weigh under 60kgs.

Perhaps keep a diary of your symptoms when you start taking the Ranolazine to help to see if helps you.

I hope it works for you.

[Platypus6 in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you Milkfairy I have been given four months supply of 375mgs to see how I get on with them. Good idea to keep a diary. Many thanks.

[Tab1966]

I was just prescribed this yesterday for ongoing angina symptoms. So I'd be interested in your answers too 🙂

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

I will keep you up to date with mine, would like to know yours as well. 😁

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

How are you feeling on this medication?

[Tab1966 in reply to Platypus6]

I havent started it yet! The consultant was writing to my GP to request he prescribes it....and that was only last tuesday. Mind you, from all the replies on this thread, im not going to lie, I feel a bit nervous about taking it, especially as I already have IBS and a history of gastric issues ☹

How are you getting on?

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

I haven’t felt very well today! Will see over the couple of days if things improve.

[Tab1966 in reply to Platypus6]

Oh no! I hope you feel better tomorrow 🤞 how has it made you feel? x

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

Hi Tab1966 I had a very bad stomach ache, and generally felt unwell! I will continue with them for a few days if things don’t improve will talk to gp, reading the reply’s it works for some and not others a bit like all meds. X

[Tab1966 in reply to Platypus6]

Oh dear, poor you! I really hope those side effects dont last long, and you get the proper relief that Ranolazine can provide to you. I'm certainly reluctant to take them, but you're right when you say they work for some and not others - I guess we just have to take them with the hope that we are one of the lucky ones! X

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

Hi Tab1966 just to keep you updated went to GP today feeling so unwell, she changed the meds that Amlopidine, I hope these are ok, have a follow up appointment next week.

[Tab1966 in reply to Platypus6]

Good luck with Amlodopine - i take 5mg daily and have been completely fine with that dose, although I was prescribed 10mg for a short period and suffered terrible swollen ankles. As the increased dose didnt improve my cardiac symptoms, I went back down to 5mg. Apart from that though, no nasty symptoms like youve had this time.

[Platypus6 in reply to Tab1966]

Ended up in a&e yesterday due to chest pain, all ok though, the Dr there said not to take those meds and given me a prescription for isosorbide mono nitrate see how I get on with them, must get it right at some point.

[Gabbi1966]

I was on Ranexa for angina, the medication was ramped up as you mention. I had no side effects. and i felt this medication really worked for me. I’m no longer on it following a recent angiogram.

[Platypus6 in reply to Gabbi1966]

Good you had no side affects thanks for replying.

[Partreetricia]

I have been on it has been increased to 750 twice a day. I Believe it will be increased to 1,000 on my next visit. I have had no side effects I think I am a lot better on it. Very fortunate to be prescribed it, it is very very expensive.

[Platypus6 in reply to Partreetricia]

Thanks for responding glad you had no side effects.😁

[HectorsDad]

Also on it, 750mg.

Seems to have helped with angina, but not completely solved the pain or helped tiredness.

Hard to say if there are side effects, since any of the drugs I take could cause the tiredness and constipation issues.

It is another one that makes the liver work harder, so it is recommended to have regular blood tests (got my next one today).

[Platypus6 in reply to HectorsDad]

Good it’s helped with the angina! Hope your tests are ok.😁

[HectorsDad in reply to Platypus6]

Thanks, I can check on line the next day, which is pretty good.

[Schora1]

I was on 500mg twice daily for 6months and had terrible issues with my stomach. I now have Barrett's oesophagus, issues with my liver and it also affected my kidneys.

I had a gastroscope just before starting this drug and my stomach, oesophagus were fine. It may just be a coincidence but the stomach pain I had with it was horrendous.

I was given this in place of nicorandil, which I had no issues with at all.

Speak with your GP if you have any concerns.

[Platypus6 in reply to Schora1]

Oh dear my stomach has just got back to normal! Will have to see how it goes with these new meds, couldn’t go through that pain again, thanks .

[Schora1 in reply to Platypus6]

I was like that. Kept feeling ok then stomach really painful. GP thought it might have been pancreatitis at the time but a scan showed the pancreas to be fine and gall bladder.

After being hospitalised with it a doctor finally did some digging and found I was right and the Ranexa was most likely the cause. When I stopped it the pain stopped.

Hope you keep well.

[Platypus6 in reply to Schora1]

Thank you hope you are ok now.

[dunestar]

I agree with Milkfairy's comment about marmite. I was prescribed it by a consultant and ended up in the GP's surgery soon afterwards as an emergency appointment feeling very unwell. I looked on the manufacturer's website where there was a review system. Some people gave it five stars and "best thing since sliced bread" comments (sorry about the food fixation!). Others gave it one star and very negative comments. It works very well for some and not at all well for others.

[Platypus6]

Thanks will have to see over the next few days.

[Cenn]

Hi Platypus6 I have now been on Ranolazine 750g twice daily and suffered with consripation . Cardiac doctor blamed the med Tildiem I was taking. However he did prescribe Lactulose to be taken twice daily 15ml. However, I found this was making me irregular and terrible flatulence. I decided to experiment and take 20 -25 ml before retiring . Now I have regular movement each morning. The only other side effect I have with Ranolazine is that my weight has increased by 5 to 6 lbs which even with increased exercise and good diet has not been effective.

I have been diagnosed with MVA and had terrible angina but Ranolazine has brought that under control , so if you don't suffer too much with side effects stick with it.

Cenn

[Platypus6 in reply to Cenn]

Hi Cenn it would seem that we suffer with most of the meds we are taking! I hope they work will give it a couple of weeks, thanks for replying hope you are well.

[Bassman65]

I was prescribed this back in January 2x 375mg daily one in the morning and one in the evening, don’t seem to have had any side effects so far

[Platypus6 in reply to Bassman65]

Brilliant I think you would have by now, thanks for letting me know.