Ranolazine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Ranolazine is an anti-anginal sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for angina pectoris. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Anti-Anginal
- Treats
- Angina Pectoris
- Available as
- Tablet, extended release
- Sold as
- 2 products — Ranexa and Ranolazine
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $5 for a 30-count supply — not your price
How ranolazine is dosed
From the FDA label for Ranolazine (application ANDA214035). Other ranolazine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
500 mg twice daily and increase to 1000 mg twice daily, based on clinical symptoms. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Dosing Information Initiate ranolazine extended-release tablets dosing at 500 mg twice daily and increase to 1000 mg twice daily, as needed, based on clinical symptoms. Take ranolazine extended-release tablets with or without meals. Swallow ranolazine extended-release tablets whole; do not crush, break, or chew. The maximum recommended daily dose of ranolazine extended-release tablets is 1000 mg twice daily. If a dose of ranolazine extended-release tablets is missed, take the prescribed dose at the next scheduled time; do not double the next dose. 2.2 Dose Modification Dose adjustments may be needed when ranolazine extended-release tablets is taken in combination with certain other drugs [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Limit the maximum dose of ranolazine extended-release tablets to 500 mg twice daily in patients on moderate CYP3A inhibitors such as diltiazem, verapamil, and erythromycin. Use of ranolazine extended-release tablets with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated [ see Contraindications (4) , drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Use of P-gp inhibitors, such as cyclosporine, may increase exposure to ranolazine extended-release tablets. Titrate ranolazine extended-release tablets based on clinical response [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .
Ranolazine side effects
Most common adverse reactions (>4% and more common than with placebo) are dizziness, headache, constipation, nausea ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Torrent Pharma Inc. at 1-800-912-9561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. A total of 2018 patients with chronic angina were treated with ranolazine in controlled clinical trials. Of the patients treated with ranolazine extended-release tablets, 1026 were enrolled in three double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies (CARISA, ERICA, MARISA) of up to 12 weeks duration. In addition, upon study completion, 1251 patients received treatment with ranolazine extended-release tablets in open-label, long-term studies; 1227 patients were exposed to ranolazine extended-release tablets for more than 1 year, 613 patients for more than 2 years, 531 patients for more than 3 years, and 326 patients for more than 4 years. At recommended doses, about 6% of patients discontinued treatment with ranolazine extended-release tablets because of an adverse event in controlled studies in angina patients compared to about 3%…
Who shouldn’t take ranolazine
Ranolazine extended-release tablets is contraindicated in patients: Taking strong inhibitors of CYP3A [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] Taking inducers of CYP3A [ see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] With liver cirrhosis [ see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] Strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nelfinavir) ( 4 , 7.1 ) CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenobarbital, St. John’s wort) ( 4 , 7.1 ) Liver cirrhosis ( 4 , 8.6 )
Ranolazine drug interactions
Moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin): Limit ranolazine extended-release tablets to 500 mg twice daily. ( 7.1 ) P-gp inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine): Ranolazine exposure increased. Titrate ranolazine extended-release tablets based on clinical response. ( 7.1 ) CYP3A substrates: Limit simvastatin to 20 mg when used with ranolazine extended-release tablets. Doses of other sensitive CYP3A substrates (e.g. lovastatin) and CYP3A substrates with narrow therapeutic range (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus) may need to be reduced with ranolazine extended-release tablets. ( 7.2 ). OCT2 substrates: Limit the dose of metformin to 1700 mg daily when used with ranolazine extended-release tablets 1000 mg twice daily. Doses of other OCT2 substrates may require adjusted doses. ( 7.2 ). Drugs transported by P-gp (e.g., digoxin), or drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants) may need reduced doses when used with ranolazine extended-release tablets. ( 7.2 ). 7.1 Effects of Other Drugs on Ranolazine Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Do not use ranolazine extended-release tablets with strong CYP3A inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and saquinavir [ see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors Limit the dose of ranolazine extended-release tablets to 500 mg twice daily in patients on moderate CYP3A inhibitors, including diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin, fluconazole, and grapefruit juice or grapefruit-containing products. [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. P-gp Inhibitors Concomitant use of ranolazine extended-release tablets and P-gp Inhibitors, such as cyclosporine, may result in increases in ranolazine concentrations. Titrate ranolazine extended-release tablets based on clinical response in patients concomitantly treated with predominant P-gp inhibitors such as cyclosporine [ see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. CYP3A Inducers Do not use ranolazine extended-release tablets with CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St. John’s wort [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.2 Effects of Ranolazine on Other Drugs Drugs Metabolized by CYP3A Limit the dose of simvastatin in patients on any dose of ranolazine extended-release tablets to 20 mg once daily, when ranolazine is co-administered. Dose adjustment of other sensitive CYP3A substrates (e.g., lovastatin) and CYP3A substrates with a narrow therapeutic range (e.g., cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus) may be required as ranolazine extended-release tablets may increase plasma concentrations of these drugs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Drugs Transported by P-gp Concomitant use of ranolazine and digoxin results in increased exposure to digoxin. The dose of digoxin may have to be adjusted [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6 The exposure to CYP2D6 substrates, such as tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics, may be increased during co-administration with ranolazine extended-release tablets, and lower doses of these drugs may be required. Drugs Transported by OCT2 In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, concomitant use of ranolazine extended-release tablets 1000 mg twice daily and metformin results in increased plasma levels of metformin. When ranolazine extended-release tablets 1000 twice daily is co-administered with metformin, metformin dose should not exceed 1700 mg/day. Monitor blood glucose levels and risks associated with high exposures of metformin. Metformin exposure was not significantly increased when given with ranolazine extended-release tablets 500 mg twice daily [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Every ranolazine product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $5 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $5 | View → |
What ranolazine pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Ranolazine recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Can you crush or split ranolazine?
At least one ranolazineproduct is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day’s dose at once. Which applies depends on the form you were given.
What each ranolazine label says about crushing, splitting and chewingHow long ranolazine keeps
No ranolazine label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does ranolazine expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsWhat people report to the FDA about ranolazine
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 10,604 reports naming ranolazine, and the FDA flagged 91% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- myocardial infarction656 reports
- chest pain632 reports
- angina pectoris608 reports
- stent placement582 reports
- dyspnoea458 reports
- dizziness448 reports
- fall384 reports
- cerebrovascular accident361 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean ranolazine caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 26, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is ranolazine?
Ranolazine is an anti-anginal used to treat Angina Pectoris.
What kind of drug is ranolazine?
The FDA classifies ranolazine as an anti-anginal. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take ranolazine with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run ranolazine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is ranolazine sold under?
We track 2 ranolazine-containing products in the U.S.: Ranexa and Ranolazine. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does ranolazine come in?
Across the brands we track, ranolazine is currently marketed as tablet, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic ranolazine?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic ranolazine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has ranolazine been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions ranolazine. The most recent: Ranolazine Extended-Release Tablets 1000mg (Mar 13, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Ranolazine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/ranolazine
- MLA
- “Ranolazine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/ranolazine.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for ranolazine on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.