Ranolazine: a review of its use in chronic stable angina pectoris.
Extended-release ranolazine (ranolazine ER) [Ranexa] is a piperazine derivative with a novel mechanism of action that was recently approved in the EU for use as add-on therapy in patients with stable angina pectoris. Ranolazine ER achieves its antianginal effect without affecting heart rate or blood pressure (BP) to a clinically significant extent. Results of well designed, placebo-controlled, short-term studies demonstrate that add-on therapy with ranolazine ER in patients with chronic stable angina improves exercise performance, and reduces anginal frequency and nitroglycerin use. Although longer-term therapy with ranolazine ER did not reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes, it did reduce the incidence of recurrent ischaemia. Ranolazine ER is a generally well tolerated antianginal agent. Although it is associated with modest dose-related increases in the corrected QT (QTc) interval, ranolazine ER does not appear to be associated with an excess of arrhythmias. Thus, ranolazine ER is a useful new option for patients with chronic stable angina whose symptoms are not controlled with first-line antianginal therapy or who do not tolerate first-line antianginal agents.
Keating
Gillian M
GM
Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
D000083:Acetanilides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006801:Humans; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069458:Ranolazine
D000083:Acetanilides; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010879:Piperazines; D000069458:Ranolazine