sacubitril and valsartan

Skip to the navigation

Pronunciation: sak UE bi tril and val SAR tan

Brand: Entresto

What is the most important information I should know about sacubitril and valsartan?

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Sacubitril and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

If you have diabetes, do not use sacubitril and valsartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

What is sacubitril and valsartan?

Sacubitril is a blood pressure medicine. It works by increasing the levels of certain proteins in the body that can dilate (widen) blood vessels. This helps lower blood pressure by reducing sodium levels.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (sometimes called an ARB). Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Sacubitril and valsartan is a combination medicine used in certain people with chronic heart failure. This medicine helps lower the risk of needing to be hospitalized when symptoms get worse, and helps lower the risk of death from heart failure.

Sacubitril and valsartan is usually given together with other blood pressure medications.

Sacubitril and valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sacubitril and valsartan?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to sacubitril or valsartan (Diovan), or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a blood pressure medication such as:

  • an ACE inhibitor--benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril (Lotensin, Vasotec, Prinivil, Accupril, Mavik, and others); or
  • an ARB--azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, valsartan (Atacand, Avapro, Benicar, Diovan, Edarbi, Micardis, Teveten, and others).

You should not take sacubitril and valsartan within 36 hours before or after you have taken any ACE inhibitor medication.

If you have diabetes, do not use sacubitril and valsartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

You may also need to avoid taking sacubitril and valsartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

To make sure sacubitril and valsartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • liver disease;
  • diabetes;
  • if you are on a low-salt-diet; or
  • if you are dehydrated.

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Sacubitril and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.

It is not known whether sacubitril and valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take sacubitril and valsartan?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You may take sacubitril and valsartan with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked.

Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking sacubitril and valsartan?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking sacubitril and valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of sacubitril and valsartan.

What are the possible side effects of sacubitril and valsartan?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You may be more likely to have an allergic reaction if you are African-American.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • extreme tiredness;
  • high potassium --slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling; or
  • kidney problems --little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness; or
  • cough.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect sacubitril and valsartan?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • aliskiren;
  • lithium;
  • any other heart or blood pressure medicines;
  • a diuretic or "water pill";
  • medicine or mineral supplements that contain potassium; or
  • NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with sacubitril and valsartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about sacubitril and valsartan.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision date: 2/7/2017.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement, which can be accessed by clicking on this link.