Ranolazine

[Mirador19]

Good afternoon, I have posted a few times before and would like to hear any views on another medication I am being given. My cardiologist/cardio nurse are replacing Nicorandil 20mg twice a day with Ranolazine 375mg twice a day (along with various other heart medication) The Nicorandil doesn’t seem to be helping my Angina pains at all. Just wondered if anyone has any views on this medication. I pick it up from the chemist tomorrow and go on holiday to Devon on Monday.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi

Mirador19

Ranolazine is the marmite of Cardiology medication.

Some people find it really helpful in others it makes them feel worse.

There is only one way to find out which is to take it and see what happens.

Perhaps keep a diary of your symptoms and see if there is any change once you start the medication.

Good luck!

[Mirador19 in reply to Milkfairy]

Hi Milkfairy, the diary sounds like a good idea. Thank you.

[Anginamum]

I take Ranexa and its working great for me. Like Milkfairy says it is the marmite drug. I hope that things work out for you x Sheena

[Mirador19 in reply to Anginamum]

Thanks Sheena, I’m hoping it works we are moving soon and there’s a fair bit of cleaning and packing to do so I need to be fitter than I am now to enjoy it all. X

[Anginamum in reply to Mirador19]

Hope everything goes well x

[Mirador19 in reply to Anginamum]

Thanks Sheena

[Hidden]

As others have said ... I took it for several weeks starting at 375 and then increasing to 500 which is when it was withdrawn.

I became so dizzy I could barely walk never mind drive and had double vision to the extent they did a CT scan of my brain to exclude a brain tumour. It was then decided it was the Ranolazine and gradually withdrew it. Ironically it did actually help my Angina symptoms but the side effects were too bad for me

[Mirador19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply, I will be aware of side effects I just hope it works for me.

[HectorsDad]

I’m on the full 750 dose (there is a 1000, but I don’t think it’s in the UK.)

I think it helps and takes the top off my Angina pain better than other things- at least improvement was noticeable when I started (at 375) and after each does increase (500 & 750). I’m pretty sure it is still helping.

Unusual for me to be on a full dose of anything, as I seem to be hypersensitive to everything else (even full dose of paracetamol puts me to sleep😁).

You never really know what is causing what. I’m still very tired in the afternoon, with pain, but it’s related to the amount I do (exercise etc) so I think this probably more to do with my general condition than the drug- although I will be asking about that shortly.

Male 57, MI stents, Ticagrelor, Artovostatin, 40mg IsoNitrate SR, GSOH!

[Mirador19 in reply to HectorsDad]

Hi Hectors dad, that sounds interesting the nurse did mention the dose does go up after a couple of weeks but I will have to check that with her. So far I have been OK on all the medication I take with no bad side effects, hope it is the same for this one as it would be nice to have the edge taken off the Angina as you said. I was told no more rehab until the pain is under control so I'm hoping this is the medication to do that. Thank you for your reply.

[SaraTwycross]

I am on that have recently been put on it to help my unstable angina. For me its the difference of having to go i to hospital and not. The ranolazine gives me more releaf quicker but doesnt stop it completely. I am just glad not having to call ambulance out every other day whilst waiting for my angiogram, hugs sara

[Mirador19 in reply to SaraTwycross]

This sounds great, I hope it works for me it sounds just what i need. Thank you for your reply Sara.

[Charlietiger]

Hi Mirador19, I'm on Ranolazine. Started low dose now on 825 mg twice a day without long lasting side effects. It did take a few day to get used to it when I started, and again when I've upped the dose, as I was light headed and dizzy. One of the best meds for my angina although has not relieved it completely. Try it and see. Good luck.

[Mirador19]

I'm just hoping I get the same results as you all, I desperately want to get back to a good exercise regime and start feeling a bit fitter again. I will certainly report back after a few weeks to let you know my verdict. Thank you for your reply Charlietiger all these replies do help.

[dickielex]

I've been taking Ranolazine for 5.5 years and I have no complaints but it's VERY hard to sort out the side effects, good bad and indifferent, of the 12 pills I take each day. But nothing has fallen off since I started on Ranolazine and the cardiac team have not suggested any further changes in my medication.

[Mirador19 in reply to dickielex]

That sounds promising, so glad that most people get good results from this medication as frequent Angina is not a happy place to be. Thanks for your reply dickielex.

[Schora1]

I found Ranolazine made me worse and really upset my stomach.

I also developed Barrett’s oesophagus whilst on it. Might be coincidental but gastroscope just before starting it we’re fine. 12 months of taking it I have Barrett’s.

See how you go with it and any stomach issues see your GP.

[Mirador19 in reply to Schora1]

Hi Schora1 thank you for your reply. I will certainly watch out for any odd side effects. Hopefully it will agree with me.

[Schora1]

🙏🏽

[Nicky3]

Hi,

Good luck hopefully you are one of them who does really well on it. I didn’t, I remember starting well on it but it really affected my stomach and I don’t normally have any problems with it. I persevered but it just got worse so I came off it. My stomach issues cleared up straight away.

I would do a diary as suggested, hope the medication helps but also watch out for your QT length as it can affect that too.

Take care

Nucky

[Mirador19 in reply to Nicky3]

Hi Nicky, well I have started taking them this morning and will certainly look out for any problems and with my memory I think a diary is my best route. thank you for your reply.

[MyAbu]

I had a consultant give this to me in the US but the cardiologist here said it is just a new class of angina medicine which addresses the issue from a different angle. I take Monomil 40mg otherwise.

[Mirador19 in reply to MyAbu]

Hi MyAbu, It's interesting to know the different pills that cover this problem, as I say I was taken off Nicorandil as it wasnt helping the chest pains at all, I'm hoping this one will do the trick. Thank you for your reply.