Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of heart failure in adults. Specifically, Entresto can be used to decrease the risk of heart-related hospitalizations or life threatening events.

In addition, Entresto is also approved to treat a certain type of heart failure in children ages 1 year and older.

If Entresto works to treat your condition, your doctor will likely recommend that you take it long term.

Here are some fast facts about Entresto:

As with other drugs, Entresto can cause side effects (adverse effects). Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Entresto, including details about its uses, see this article.

Entresto can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Entresto in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Entresto use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Entresto’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Entresto include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Entresto and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Entresto may cause serious side effects. Though they aren’t common, it’s important that you’re aware of the possible risks. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Entresto’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Entresto, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* Entresto has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Entresto” in the “Precautions for Entresto” section below.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Entresto may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Entresto cause weight gain as a side effect?

No, you shouldn’t experience weight gain from taking Entresto. This wasn’t a side effect that was reported in clinical trials of people taking Entresto.

However, Entresto is used to treat heart failure. And a symptom of worsening heart failure is weight gain. So if you notice any weight gain during your treatment with Entresto, be sure to tell your doctor right away. They can check whether your condition could be worsening.

Are side effects of Entresto different for older adults?

No, older adults (ages 65 years or older) shouldn’t expect to experience different side effects than younger people taking Entresto. In clinical trials, there weren’t any differences noted in older adults taking Entresto than inyounger adults.

If you’re concerned about side effects from Entresto, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. It’s possible that your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Entresto in certain cases.

If you have concerns about side effects from certain doses of Entresto, such as side effects of Entresto 24 mg/26 mg, talk with your doctor.

Should I expect itchiness with Entresto treatment?

No, you shouldn’t expect itchiness to occur as a side effect of Entresto. In clinical trials, itchiness wasn’t reported. However, it’s possible to experience itchiness as a symptom of an allergic reaction to Entresto. Other possible symptoms of allergic reactions may include:

If you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction, contact your doctor or go to your nearest hospital right away. In this case, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option for your heart failure.

Is shortness of breath a side effect of Entresto?

You shouldn’t experience shortness of breath as a side effect of Entresto. However, it’s possible for shortness of breath to be a symptom of an allergic reaction.

If you experience shortness of breath during your treatment with Entresto, contact your doctor right away. They can help determine whether you may be experiencing shortness of breath related to an allergic reaction. Other symptoms of an allergic reaction may include itchiness, skin rash, or swelling of the face or mouth.

In addition, shortness of breath may also be a symptom of worsening heart failure. Since Entresto works to treat heart failure, it’s important to contact your doctor right away if you notice shortness of breath. They can help determine whether your shortness of breath may be due to worsening heart failure.

If you develop shortness of breath during your treatment with Entresto, contact your doctor right away. Although this isn’t a side effect of the drug itself, your doctor can help determine what may be causing your shortness of breath.

Can taking Entresto cause hair loss?

No, you shouldn’t experience hair loss from taking Entresto. Hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect of this medication in clinical trials.

If you experience hair loss during your treatment with Entresto, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your hair loss. In some cases, they may be able to recommend ways to decrease your hair loss. For example, they may recommend an over-the-counter treatment such as Rogaine (minoxidil).

Learn more about some of the side effects that Entresto may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Entresto.

Low blood pressure

You may develop low blood pressure from taking Entresto. In fact, low blood pressure was one of the most common side effects that people taking Entresto reported in clinical trials. Since Entresto works to lower blood pressure, it’s possible that taking this drug may cause your blood pressure to become too low.

Symptoms of low blood pressure may include dizziness or fatigue.

You may also be at an increased risk of this side effect occurring if you take other medications, such as diuretics (water pills), which also decrease your blood pressure.

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of low blood pressure during your treatment with Entresto, tell your doctor. They may recommend decreasing your dose of your diuretic or other blood pressure medication. In some cases, they may recommend decreasing your dose of Entresto. Other times, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Entresto can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling or tingling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
  • shortness of breath

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Entresto. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Dizziness

You may experience dizziness during your treatment with Entresto. Dizziness was one of the most common side effects that people taking Entresto reported in clinical trials.

What you can do

If you notice dizziness when you’re taking Entresto, talk with your doctor. In some cases, dizziness may be a symptom of low blood pressure, which may be caused by Entresto. Your doctor will be able to help determine whether you do have low blood pressure that may be causing your dizziness. In addition, they may be able to recommend ways to decrease the dizziness that you experience.

Kidney problems

It’s possible for Entresto to cause kidney problems to occur. Although this wasn’t one of the most common side effects of the drug, it is possible. In some rare cases, kidney problems may be severe or even life threatening.

You should be aware of symptoms of kidney problems in case you develop any. Symptoms may include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • urinating more or less often than is typical
  • swelling of the feet or legs

What you can do

If you notice symptoms of kidney problems, contact your doctor. They will likely do blood tests throughout your treatment with Entresto.

If you develop symptoms of a kidney condition, your doctor can do blood tests to determine whether your kidneys were affected by Entresto.

In some cases, if you develop kidney problems, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose of Entresto. It’s also possible that they may recommend pausing or stopping treatment with Entresto.

Cough

You may experience cough from taking Entresto. Cough was one of the most common side effects that people taking Entresto reported in clinical trials of the drug.

What you can do

If you develop a cough during your treatment with Entresto, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to treat your cough if it’s bothersome to you.

Before starting treatment with Entresto, tell your doctor about any medical conditions that you have. They can help make sure that Entresto is safe for you to take.

Boxed warning: Harm to a fetus

This drug has a boxed warning for a risk of harm to a fetus. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Entresto” below.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Entresto. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Angioedema. If you have ever had angioedema, or swelling of your face or mouth, while taking an angiotensin II receptor blocker, tell your doctor before taking Entresto.

In addition, be sure to tell your doctor if you have a condition called hereditary angioedema. These conditions may increase your risk of angioedema occurring from Entresto. This is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening.

If you have had angioedema or have hereditary angioedema, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Kidney problems. If you have a kidney problem, such as chronic kidney disease, tell your doctor before taking Entresto. It’s possible for Entresto to increase your risk of kidney problems. And if you already have a history of a kidney condition, taking Entresto may make your condition worse.

In this case, your doctor may monitor you more often or recommend that you take a lower dose of Entresto. In some cases, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Entresto or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Entresto. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Liver problems. If you have any liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Entresto. If you have certain liver conditions, such as cirrhosis, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose of Entresto. In some cases, they may recommend a different treatment option for you instead of Entresto.

High blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure and you take an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker, be sure to tell your doctor before taking Entresto. It’s possible that these drugs may increase your risk of side effects if taken in combination with Entresto. Your doctor can help determine the safest treatment plan for you.

Diabetes. If you have diabetes and you take a blood pressure medication called aliskiren, be sure to tell your doctor before taking Entresto. Taking these medications together can increase your risk of kidney problems occurring. In this case, your doctor can help to recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Alcohol with Entresto

Entresto isn’t known to interact with alcohol. However, it’s possible for alcohol to worsen symptoms of heart failure, which Entresto is used to treat.

Before drinking alcohol, be sure to talk with your doctor about doing so. They can help determine how much alcohol, if any, may be safe for you to drink while taking Entresto.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Entresto

You should not take Entresto during pregnancy. In fact, Entresto has a boxed warning about the risks of harm to a developing fetus and pregnancy loss if the drug is taken during pregnancy. A boxed warning is the most serious warning recommended by the FDA. The purpose of a boxed warning is to alert patients and prescribers about the risks of taking a medication.

It’s possible for Entresto to cause kidney problems or increase the risk of pregnancy loss if a developing fetus is exposed to the drug. Due to this risk, you must tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Entresto. They will likely recommend that you stop taking Entresto and try a different medication to treat your condition.

It’s also not recommended to breastfeed while you’re taking Entresto. At this time, it’s not known whether the drug may pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed. However, due to the possibility of serious side effects, it’s not recommended to breastfeed while taking this drug.

If you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before taking Entresto. They can determine what the best treatment plan may be for you.

It’s possible for Entresto to cause side effects to occur. In most cases, side effects are mild, though serious side effects are also possible from taking this medication.

If you’d like to learn more about Entresto, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.