Ranolazine Drug Information
Generic name: RANOLAZINE
Anti-anginal [EPC]
Uses of Ranolazine
Ranolazine extended-release tablet is indicated for the treatment of chronic angina. Ranolazine extended-release tablet may be used with beta-blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, anti-platelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Ranolazine extended-release tablet is an antianginal indicated for the treatment of chronic angina.
Dosage & Administration of Ranolazine
Dosing Information Initiate ranolazine extended-release tablet dosing at 500 mg twice daily
and increase to 1000 mg twice daily, as needed, based on clinical symptoms. Take ranolazine extended-release tablet with or without meals. Swallow ranolazine extended-release tablet whole; do not crush, break, or chew.
The maximum recommended daily dose of ranolazine extended-release tablet is 1000 mg twice daily. If a dose of ranolazine extended-release tablet is missed, take the prescribed dose at the next scheduled time; do not double the next dose.
Dose Adjustments in Specific Populations Dose adjustments may be needed when ranolazine
extended-release tablet is taken in combination with certain other drugs . Limit the maximum dose of ranolazine extended-release tablet to 500 mg twice daily in patients on moderate CYP3A inhibitors such as diltiazem, verapamil, and erythromycin. Use of ranolazine extended-release tablet with strong CYP3A inhibitors is contraindicated . Use of P-gp inhibitors, such as cyclosporine, may increase exposure to ranolazine extended-release tablet. Titrate ranolazine extended-release tablet based on clinical response.
Side Effects of Ranolazine
Clinical Trials 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, 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 in open-label, long-term studies; 1227 patients were exposed to ranolazine 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 because of an adverse event in controlled studies in angina patients compared to about 3% on placebo. The most common adverse events that led to discontinuation more frequently on ranolazine than placebo were dizziness (1.3% versus 0.1%), nausea (1% versus 0%), asthenia, constipation, and headache (each about 0.5% versus 0%). Doses above 1000 mg twice daily are poorly tolerated.
In controlled clinical trials of angina patients, the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse reactions (>4% and more common on ranolazine than on placebo) were dizziness (6.2%), headache (5.5%), constipation (4.5%), and nausea (4.4%). Dizziness may be dose-related. In open-label, long-term treatment studies, a similar adverse reaction profile was observed. The following additional adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of 0.5 to 4.0% in patients treated with ranolazine and were more frequent than the incidence observed in placebo-treated patients: Cardiac Disorders – bradycardia, palpitations Ear and Labyrinth Disorders – tinnitus, vertigo Eye Disorders – blurred vision Gastrointestinal Disorders – abdominal pain, dry mouth, vomiting, dyspepsia General Disorders and Administrative Site Adverse Events – asthenia, peripheral edema Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders – anorexia Nervous System Disorders – syncope (vasovagal) Psychiatric Disorders – confusional state Renal and Urinary Disorders – hematuria Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders – dyspnea Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders – hyperhidrosis Vascular Disorders – hypotension, orthostatic hypotension Other (<0.5%) but potentially medically important adverse reactions observed more frequently with ranolazine than placebo treatment in all controlled studies included: angioedema, renal failure, eosinophilia, chromaturia, blood urea increased, hypoesthesia, paresthesia, tremor, pulmonary fibrosis, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and pancytopenia.
A large clinical trial in acute coronary syndrome patients was unsuccessful in demonstrating a benefit for ranolazine, but there was no apparent proarrhythmic effect in these high-risk patients. Laboratory Abnormalities: Ranolazine produces elevations of serum creatinine by 0.1 mg/dL, regardless of previous renal function, likely because of inhibition of creatinine's tubular secretion. In general, the elevation has a rapid onset, shows no signs of progression during long-term therapy, is reversible after discontinuation of ranolazine, and is not accompanied by changes in BUN. In healthy volunteers, ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily had no effect upon the glomerular filtration rate.
More marked and progressive increases in serum creatinine, associated with increases in BUN or potassium, indicating acute renal failure, have been reported after initiation of ranolazine in patients with severe renal impairment.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of ranolazine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure: Nervous System Disorders – Abnormal coordination, myoclonus, paresthesia, tremor, and other serious neurologic adverse events have been reported to occur, sometimes concurrently, in patients taking ranolazine. The onset of events was often associated with an increase in ranolazine dose or exposure.
Many patients reported symptom resolution following drug discontinuation or dose decrease. Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders – Cases of hypoglycemia have been reported in diabetic patients on antidiabetic medication. Psychiatric Disorders – hallucination Renal and Urinary Disorders – dysuria, urinary retention Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders – angioedema, pruritus, rash
Warnings & Cautions for Ranolazine
QT Interval Prolongation Ranolazine blocks IKr and prolongs the QTc interval in
a dose-related manner. Clinical experience in an acute coronary syndrome population did not show an increased risk of proarrhythmia or sudden death . However, there is little experience with high doses (>1000 mg twice daily) or exposure, other QT-prolonging drugs, potassium channel variants resulting in a long QT interval, in patients with a family history of (or congenital) long QT syndrome, or in patients with known acquired QT interval prolongation.
Renal Failure Acute renal failure has been observed in some patients with
severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) while taking ranolazine. If acute renal failure develops (e.g., marked increase in serum creatinine associated with an increase in blood urea nitrogen ), discontinue ranolazine and treat appropriately. Monitor renal function after initiation and periodically in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCL <60 mL/min) for increases in serum creatinine accompanied by an increase in BUN.
Drug Interactions with Ranolazine
Effects of Other Drugs on Ranolazine Strong
CYP3A Inhibitors Do not use ranolazine with strong CYP3A inhibitors, including ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, indinavir, and saquinavir. Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors Limit the dose of ranolazine to 500 mg twice daily in patients on moderate CYP3A inhibitors, including diltiazem, verapamil, erythromycin, fluconazole, and grapefruit juice or grapefruit-containing products. P-gp Inhibitors Concomitant use of ranolazine and P-gp inhibitors, such as cyclosporine, may result in increases in ranolazine concentrations.
Titrate ranolazine based on clinical response in patients concomitantly treated with predominant P-gp inhibitors such as cyclosporine. CYP3A Inducers Do not use ranolazine with CYP3A inducers such as rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and St. John's wort.
Effects of Ranolazine on Other Drugs Drugs Metabolized by
CYP3A Limit the dose of simvastatin in patients on any dose of ranolazine 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 may increase plasma concentrations of these drugs. 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. Drugs Metabolized by CYP2D6 The exposure to CYP2D6 substrates, such as tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics, may be increased during co-administration with ranolazine, and lower doses of these drugs may be required. Drugs Transported by OCT2 In subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, concomitant use of ranolazine 1000 mg twice daily and metformin results in increased plasma levels of metformin.
When ranolazine 1000 mg 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 500 mg twice daily.
Pregnancy Safety for Ranolazine
Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on ranolazine use in pregnant women to inform any drug-associated risks. Studies in rats and rabbits showed no evidence of fetal harm at exposures 4 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) (see Data). In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage of clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Embryofetal toxicity studies were conducted in rats and rabbits orally administered ranolazine during organogenesis.
In rats, decreased fetal weight and reduced ossification were observed at doses (corresponding to 4-fold the AUC for the MRHD) that caused maternal weight loss. No adverse fetal effects were observed in either species exposed (AUC) to ranolazine at exposures (AUC) equal to the MRHD.
Pediatric Use of Ranolazine
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.
Contraindications for Ranolazine
Ranolazine is contraindicated in patients: Taking strong inhibitors of CYP3A Taking inducers of CYP3A With liver cirrhosis Strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin, nelfinavir) CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenobarbital, St. John's wort) Liver cirrhosis
Overdosage Information for Ranolazine
Hypotension, QT prolongation, bradycardia, myoclonic activity, severe tremor, unsteady gait/incoordination, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, dysphasia, and hallucinations have been seen in cases of oral overdose of ranolazine. In cases of extreme overdose of ranolazine fatal outcomes have been reported. In clinical studies, high intravenous exposure resulted in diplopia, paresthesia, confusion, and syncope.
In addition to general supportive measures, continuous ECG monitoring may be warranted in the event of overdose. Since ranolazine is about 62% bound to plasma proteins, hemodialysis is unlikely to be effective in clearing ranolazine.
Clinical Studies of Ranolazine
Chronic Stable Angina
CARISA (Combination Assessment of Ranolazine In Stable Angina) was a study in 823 chronic angina patients randomized to receive 12 weeks of treatment with twice-daily ranolazine 750 mg, 1000 mg, or placebo, who also continued on daily doses of atenolol 50 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, or diltiazem CD 180 mg. Sublingual nitrates were used in this study as needed. In this trial, statistically significant (p <0.05) increases in modified Bruce treadmill exercise duration and time to angina were observed for each ranolazine dose versus placebo, at both trough (12 hours after dosing) and peak (4 hours after dosing) plasma levels, with minimal effects on blood pressure and heart rate.
The changes versus placebo in exercise parameters are presented in Table 1. Exercise treadmill results showed no increase in effect on exercise at the 1000 mg dose compared to the 750 mg dose. Table 1 Exercise Treadmill Results (CARISA) a p-value ≤0.05 b p-value ≤0.005 Mean Difference from Placebo ( sec ) Study CARISA ( N = 791 ) Ranolazine Twice - daily Dose 750 mg 1000 mg Exercise Duration Trough Peak 24 a 34 b 24 a 26 a Time to Angina Trough Peak 30 a 38 b 26 a 38 b Time to 1 mm ST-Segment Depression Trough Peak 20 41 b 21 35 b The effects of ranolazine on angina frequency and nitroglycerin use are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Angina Frequency and Nitroglycerin Use (CARISA) a Twice daily Placebo Ranolazine 750 mg a Ranolazine 1000 mg a Angina Frequency N 258 272 261 ( attacks / week ) Mean 3.3 2.5
P - value vs placebo - 0.006 <0.001 Nitroglycerin N 252 262
244 Use ( doses / week ) Mean 3.1 2.1
P - value vs placebo - 0.016 <0.001 Tolerance to ranolazine did
not develop after 12 weeks of therapy. Rebound increases in angina, as measured by exercise duration, have not been observed following abrupt discontinuation of ranolazine. Ranolazine has been evaluated in patients with chronic angina who remained symptomatic despite treatment with the maximum dose of an antianginal agent.
In the ERICA (Efficacy of Ranolazine In Chronic Angina) trial, 565 patients were randomized to receive an initial dose of Ranolazine extended-release tablets 500 mg twice daily or placebo for 1 week, followed by 6 weeks of treatment with Ranolazine extended-release tablets 1000 mg twice daily or placebo, in addition to concomitant treatment with amlodipine 10 mg once daily. In addition, 45% of the study population also received long-acting nitrates. Sublingual nitrates were used as needed to treat angina episodes.
Results are shown in Table 3. Statistically significant decreases in angina attack frequency (p=0.028) and nitroglycerin use (p=0.014) were observed with ranolazine compared to placebo. These treatment effects appeared consistent across age and use of long-acting nitrates. Table 3 Angina Frequency and Nitroglycerin Use (ERICA) a 1000 mg twice daily Placebo Ranolazine a Angina Frequency N 281 277 ( attacks / week ) Mean 4.3
Median 2.4 2.2 Nitroglycerin Use N 281 277 ( doses / week
) Mean 3.6
Median 1.7 1.3 Gender Effects on angina frequency and exercise tolerance were
considerably smaller in women than in men. In CARISA, the improvement in Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT) in females was about 33% of that in males at the 1000 mg twice-daily dose level. In ERICA, where the primary endpoint was angina attack frequency, the mean reduction in weekly angina attacks was 0.3 for females and 1.3 for males.
Race There were insufficient numbers of non-Caucasian patients to allow for analyses of efficacy or safety by racial subgroup.
Lack of Benefit in Acute Coronary Syndrome
In a large (n=6560) placebo-controlled trial (MERLIN-TIMI 36) in patients with acute coronary syndrome, there was no benefit shown on outcome measures. However, the study is somewhat reassuring regarding proarrhythmic risks, as ventricular arrhythmias were less common on ranolazine, and there was no difference between ranolazine and placebo in the risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk ranolazine:placebo 0.99 with an upper 95% confidence limit of 1.22).
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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