Ranolazine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Kid...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 21, 2019

Ranolazine for Angina "I'm a 55-year-old female who experienced early-onset heart disease with angina symptoms that I first noticed at age 41. I was 49 before I found a doc who took my symptoms seriously. An angiogram showed an 85% blockage on my LAD, and a stent was placed. I thought I was 'fixed', but the angina persisted, and I was diagnosed with microvascular disease. Ranexa has given back my quality of life, including being able to briskly walk 4-5 miles with the occasional sprint thrown in. If I forget to take it, I experience pain just walking up a small slope. Fortunately, my insurance has covered it after getting a prior authorization. My co-pay just went from $30/month to $10 thanks to the new generic. Side effects: Occasional mild dizziness, manageable constipation."

• nur...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2013

Ranolazine for Angina "Before Ranexa I could not go a day without needing a nitro for the chest pain. Now if I need 1 nitro a month, that is a lot. BUT the side effects are terrible. The bloated feeling and stomach aches are terrible, and the constipation has been so bad I need to use MiraLax daily along with a stool softener in the morning and evening. Do not know if I can tolerate the GI problems much longer."

• tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2013

Ranolazine for Angina "I've been taking it for three months. I haven't used a nitro in that time. The chest pain I experienced in breathing cold or humid air, or after climbing, or even after stress has dissipated to an unexpected and happy extent. However, the side effects are bothersome, though not insurmountable. Dry mouth, almost continuously, which sometimes affects ability to speak clearly. Constipation, overcome by hard bowel movements, use of stool softeners. And just a general feeling of stuffiness, in body, in sinuses, elsewhere. Hard to say whether I would recommend it. The annoyances at times are major; the feeling of freedom from the chest pain and fear greatly offset the annoyances so far. Incidentally, I am 77, with only one open artery."

• Ans...
• April 6, 2016

Ranolazine for Angina "I am on Ranexa 1000 mg since 1 year now. I still have pain in my chest and arm, plus serious constipation and terrible memory loss. It's short-term memory loss I am talking about, like going for a glass of water from the fridge and forgetting halfway why I walked up to there."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 27, 2022

Ranolazine for Angina "My cardiologist prescribed Ranexa after I had a heart attack in 2017. It lowered the frequency of my angina by about 50%. The side effects were fairly severe and included: nausea, constipation, frequent urination, dizziness, and I noticed it was harder to concentrate and remember things. I was on a fairly high dose at 1000 mg twice per day. About six months ago, with my doctor’s approval, I started to wean off this medicine and am now down to 500 mg once per day. I feel much better. All of the side effects have, for the most part, gone away. I still get some angina, but it doesn’t seem like it’s gotten any worse since dropping the dosage. At my next appointment with my cardiologist, I will see about stopping the Ranexa completely."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2019

Ranolazine for Angina "10 years ago, at age 46, I had a heart attack and quadruple bypass. 8 years ago, one stent, 4 years ago, 2 more stents. After over 2 weeks of nonstop angina, my only relief was sleeping. After 2 days of 500 mg Ranexa, I felt like a new man. I finally had relief from angina. Some bad side effects of lightheadedness, dizzy headache, and constipation. I had my first angina attack, nitro helps, but I thought I had it beat. I would gladly take the bad, but for myself, tolerable side effects for the angina (Medicaid covers my cost)."

• Tig...
• January 25, 2017

Ranolazine for Angina "I have never felt so out of control in my life, the severe anxiety was terrifying. The tapping sensations in my face and leg were so acute, it was intolerable. I am now bleeding when I urinate. Constipation and a swollen stomach are awful. I am only on 375 mg x 2 per day. I've stopped taking them, yesterday, I have felt a lot better but had an angina attack this morning. Waiting to have a conversation with my GP via phone. I am due for an angiogram on this Friday. Troponin levels after my last hospital episode were 3 on arrival, but after twelve hours, were 26. Was told need angiogram. Can anyone on here tell me what to expect and if any of your experiences are similar? I also had a tumor removed from my ureter and have had bladder cancer."

• San...
• December 7, 2017

Ranolazine for Angina "I have angina from small artery blockages they cannot stent. I really can't afford it. I tried to stop taking it, and the horrible back pain returned. I took one pill and had relief in an hour. I notice no side effects except constipation. I'm definitely going to have to continue this drug, perhaps once a day instead of twice. I am supposed to take 500 mg twice a day."

• Dvd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

For Angina "I'm a 62-year-old male. I had a heart attack 11 years ago and since then, 3 more angiograms totaling 6 stents. I recently had another angiogram after months of chest pain, which also radiated to my left arm. It showed my arteries were good, but further tests revealed microvascular disease. I started on ranolazine about 3 weeks ago. After about 4 days, the chest/arm pain was gone. The side effects have been constipation and fatigue. I take 1000 mg twice a day."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2012

For Angina "This helped with breathing and pain from angina, but the side effects to the digestive system greatly outweighed this. I experienced severe constipation, bloating, and acid reflux when taking the 350 dose. This became so severe over a 2-week period that I had to stop taking the medication."

• jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2013

For Angina "I had angina due to a blocked artery, started on 2 per day for a week, then doubled up. Started to feel dizziness, severe headaches, progressed to a complete unbalance sensation. I also experienced constipation and joint stiffness. Now back to 2 pills, 500 mg per day for trial purposes."

• kgb...
• July 10, 2009

For Angina "Excellent medication but has caused major constipation."

• sab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2024

"Using ranolazine, no angina pain, but problem in constipation and leg pain."