Sacubitril+valsartan
About
Sacubitril+valsartan belongs to a class of cardiovascular agents that is used in the treatment of heart failure. It helps to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in adults with chronic heart failure. Also, it can be used in children 1 to less than 18 years old to treat heart failure. Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as it should.
Sacubitril+valsartan is a combination of two medicines: Valsartan and sacubitril. Valsartan belongs to the class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) that block the effect of angiotensin II receptors that tighten the blood vessels. By blocking the effect of angiotensin II receptors, Valsartan makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Sacubitril belongs to the class of drugs known as neprilysin inhibitors which work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts. Together, Sacubitril+valsartan helps in the treatment of heart failure.
Take Sacubitril+valsartan with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet, swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. You are advised to take Sacubitril+valsartan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as cough, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, weakness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Sacubitril+valsartan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Try not to stop taking it on your own as it may cause a sudden increase the blood pressure, chest pain, or heart attack. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Sacubitril+valsartan. Do not take Sacubitril+valsartan with ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, enalapril) since the risk of side effects may increase. Do not take Sacubitril+valsartan for at least 36 hours before or after taking an ACE inhibitor drug. Inform your doctor before taking Sacubitril+valsartan if you have kidney or liver problems, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of hereditary angioedema (rapid oedema or swelling beneath the area of skin).
Uses of Sacubitril+valsartan
Medicinal Benefits
Sacubitril+valsartan is a combination of two medicines Valsartan and sacubitril. Valsartan belongs to the class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) that block the effect of angiotensin II receptors that tighten the blood vessels. By blocking the effect of angiotensin II receptors, Valsartan makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Sacubitril belongs to the class of drugs known as neprilysin inhibitors which work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts. Sacubitril+valsartan helps in the treatment of certain types of heart failure. It may also help you to live longer and lowers the frequency of hospitalizations for heart failure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sacubitril+valsartan
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Fainting
- Headache
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vertigo (sensation of feeling off-balance)
- Weakness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Keep your doctor informed if you have kidney or liver diseases. Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any other medicines along with Sacubitril+valsartan. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Sacubitril+valsartan. A prolonged intake of Sacubitril+valsartan can cause an altered potassium level so, regular monitoring of potassium is required. Driving and operating heavy machinery should not be done as it may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure n standing) might occur, so patients using Sacubitril+valsartan should get up with caution. Speak to your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Sacubitril+valsartan. Inform your doctor about your current medicines such as aliskiren (medication to treat high blood pressure), any other heart or blood pressure medicines, lithium, mineral supplements that contain potassium. Inform your doctor if you feel light-headed or have little or no urination, rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles after taking Sacubitril+valsartan.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Pain medication (aspirin), a medicine used to lower cholesterol (rosuvastatin, atorvastatin), medicine to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (insulin detemir), blood pressure medication (metoprolol), a medication used in the management of asthma (budesonide/formoterol).
Drug-Food Interaction: Maintain low salt and low-fat diet while taking Sacubitril+valsartan. Avoid consuming food rich in potassium, such as potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Hypotension (low blood pressure), diabetes, angioedema (rapid edema or swelling beneath the skin), hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood), renal artery stenosis, renal/liver disease, renal impairment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Sacubitril+valsartan to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Sacubitril+valsartan while you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will decide whether Sacubitril+valsartan can be given to pregnant women or not.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Sacubitril+valsartan while you are breast-feeding. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will decide whether Sacubitril+valsartan can be given to breast-feeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionSacubitril+valsartan may cause dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Sacubitril+valsartan should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Sacubitril+valsartan should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafeSacubitril+valsartan can be used to treat heart failure in children who are at least 1 year old when prescribed by a child specialist
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- You are advised to consume low salt and low-fat diet while taking Sacubitril+valsartan.
- Regular exercise is also recommended to complement treatment with Sacubitril+valsartan.
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Managing stress with meditation, yoga, massage would also help in treating high blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor blood pressure levels to prevent hypotension (low blood pressure).
- Get up slowly while rising from a lying or sitting position as Sacubitril+valsartan may cause dizziness.
- Keep your doctor informed about your health/disease conditions and the medicines you are taking.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Heart failure is a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump blood as effectively as it should. Heart failure may occur due to certain conditions like high blood pressure, swelling or damage of heart muscle, faulty heart valves, or narrow arteries in the heart. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, tiredness, fast heartbeat, and swollen legs.
FAQs
Sacubitril+valsartan is a combination of Valsartan and sacubitril. Valsartan belongs to the class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) that block the effect of angiotensin II receptors that tighten the blood vessels. By blocking the effect of angiotensin II receptors, Valsartan makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Sacubitril belongs to the class of drugs known as neprilysin inhibitors which work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts. Sacubitril+valsartan helps in the treatment of certain types of heart failure. It may also help you to live longer and lowers the frequency of hospitalizations for heart failure.
Please do not stop taking Sacubitril+valsartan without consulting your doctor on your own as it may lead to rising in blood pressure. Continue taking Sacubitril+valsartan for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Sacubitril+valsartan.
Orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of Sacubitril+valsartan. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Sacubitril+valsartan are advised to monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid unpleasant events regularly.
High blood pressure increases the workload on the arteries and heart. If untreated, it could damage the heart, brain, and kidney's blood vessels, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks.
Talk to your doctor before taking potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, or salt substitutes along with Sacubitril+valsartan as it might cause an increase in serum potassium and serum creatinine levels.
Sacubitril+valsartan may cause a headache as a common side effect, especially in the first few days of treatment. However, if the condition persists or worsens, please consult a doctor to reduce the dose initially.
Sacubitril+valsartan is not recommended for patients with severe hypotension (low blood pressure) as it may increase the risk of worsening the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have low blood pressure before taking Sacubitril+valsartan.
