Entresto (generic names: sacubitril & valsartan) was the first and only therapy approved in the US in 2021 to treat both patients diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as well as many with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). It is an oral medication that is prescribed to treat people with chronic heart failure who are in danger of needing to be hospitalized when symptoms get worse. It also helps lower the risk of death from heart failure. Entresto is usually given together with other blood pressure medications.
Sacubitril is a blood pressure medicine that works by reducing sodium levels in the blood.
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medication that keeps blood vessels from narrowing. Together, these lower blood pressure and improve blood flow. Dosage Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose. Entresto can be taken with or without food.
The recommended starting dose is usually one tablet of 50 mg or 100 mg twice a day (one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening). Your doctor will decide your exact starting dose based on which medicines you were taking previously and your blood pressure. Your doctor will then adjust the dose every 2-4 weeks depending on how you respond to the treatment until the best dose for you is found. The usual recommended target dose is 200 mg twice a day (one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening).
If one dose is missed and can be taken within a few hours of the scheduled time, it can be taken then. However, do not double-dose later to make up for a missed dose.
Brand Manufacturer: Novartis
Side Effects: This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication. Please read the manufacturer’s Product Insert that comes with the medication. The most common side effects of Entresto are: hypotension (low blood pressure), which can cause symptoms of dizziness and light-headedness when switching from sitting or lying to standing position high levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia), shown in a blood test renal impairment (decreased kidney function) cough diarrhoea anemia tiredness renal failure headache syncope (fainting) weakness nausea gastritis (stomach pain, nausea) vertigo (spinning sensation) low levels of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia.) Not all side effects can be listed here. Consult a healthcare provider if these or other unexpected effects persist or worsen. Some side effects can be serious. If you notice swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulties in breathing or swallowing, these may be signs of an allergic reaction to one of the components of the medication. Go immediately to an emergency room and take with the box of Entresto.
Indication: Heart failure occurs when the heart is weak and cannot pump enough oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. In the more severe form (HFrEF), p atients typically exhibit symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance, edema (fluid retention), and rapid heartbeat. Patients with the milder form of heart failure (HFpEF) can experience some of the same symptoms but may have better exercise capacity. They may also be more prone to develop breathing-related (pulmonary) symptoms such as a cough or breathlessness when resting. Entresto is recommended as a first-line treatment for patients with heart failure with an ejection fraction lower than 45% (classified as HFrEF). Entresto may also be considered as a treatment option for a patient with HFpEF (ejection fraction >45% and < 55%). It is preferred over standard ACEi (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) and ARB medications.
