What Is Ranexa (Ranolazine)? Ranexa is the brand name of ranolazine, a prescription drug used to treat chronic angina - spasmodic attacks of intense chest pain that occur when there's an insufficient supply of blood to the heart. Chronic is the key word here: The drug should not be used to treat an intense, sudden attack of angina. Ranexa is one drug in the class of anti-anginal medications, which also include beta-blockers, nitrates, and calcium channel blockers.