Pharmacy
What is sacubitril valsartan?
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors. It is used in heart failure to help lighten the workload of your heart and make it easier for your heart to pump blood around the body. It can prevent your heart failure from getting worse and can also:
- Help you to be more active and to live longer
- Help protect you from having a heart attack by improving the blood flow to your heart muscle
| The strength of sacubitril valsartan you are taking is: |
| The dose you should take is: |
How do I take them?
Take Sacubitril Valsartan (Entresto) two times each day (in the morning and the evening, about 12 hours apart). Your doctor or nurse may change your dose during treatment.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.
What are the main side effects?
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Unsettled kidney function
Which side effects should I tell my doctor or nurse about?
If any of these side effects becomes severe contact your doctor or nurse immediately:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash
- Stomach pains
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
What else do I need to know?
- You should not take the following medicines if you are taking sacubitril valsartan because it increases the risk of a severe allergic reaction:
- Angiotensin receptor blockers or ARB’s (for example, candesartan, losartan, irbesartan, valsartan)Angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors (for example, ramipril, perindopril, lisinopril, enalapril)
- Aliskiren
- If you have diarrhoea, vomiting or an illness that stops you eating or drinking normally please stop your sacubitril valsartan until this settles. Once settled, you can restart taking it at your usual dose
- If you tend to feel dizzy when you stand up, try to avoid getting up too quickly.
- Avoid potassium supplements or a salt substitute unless prescribed by a healthcare professional
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory pain relief medication (for example, ibuprofen).
- You should have a blood test every six months to check your kidneys are working properly and to make sure that you don’t have too much potassium in your blood (Please arrange this through your GP Practice)
- Talk to your doctor about other ways to treat heart failure if you plan to become pregnant
Contact us
If you require further information please contact the heart failure team on:
Telephone: 01642 835865
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]