A Randomized Comparative Study on Efficacy and Safety Profile of Ivabradine and Ranolazine, in Patients of Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris

Background: Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading causes of global disease burden. Despite treatment with standard therapy, many patients with chronic stable angina pectoris remain symptomatic making it an urgent necessity to introduce new strategies. Hence this study was planned to compare the efficacy and tolerability of Ivabradine and Ranolazine; the two novel antianginal drugs. Methods: This was a single blind, randomised, controlled trial. Thirty patients each taking IVA 5 mg twice daily or RAN 500 mg twice daily were randomised into two groups. Patients filled a pretested questionnaire on frequency of angina attacks and adverse reactions experienced at baseline and 2, 4 and 8 weeks. The haemodynamic parameters, routine laboratory investigations were evaluated at the baseline and after intervention. Results: There was no significant difference in the frequency of angina attacks per week between the IVA and RAN study groups. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in the number of patients reporting ADR from the IVA group as compared to RAN group. In the IVA group, the most common ADR was dizziness (36.6%); whereas nausea (30%) and dizziness (23.3%) was most common in RAN group. The routine haematological and biochemical evaluations did not show any significant difference between the baseline and post intervention. However, IVA significantly decreased the resting heart rate after eight weeks of intervention.. Conclusion: Both IVA and RAN are comparable and efficacious antianginal agents. However, RAN had a better safety and tolerability profile than IVA.