Can Entresto be cut in half or split?

The manufacturer of Entresto (sacubitril and valsartan) suggests that if you cannot swallow the tablet, or if the correct strength is not available, you may take Entresto tablets prepared as a liquid oral suspension by your pharmacist or use the Entresto Sprinkle oral pellets, as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Entresto tablets are unscored, film-coated tablets. Taking half of a tablet of Entresto for heart failure might contain uneven amounts of medicine and could be dangerous.

How does Entresto come?

Entresto is available as a film-coated tablet or Sprinkle capsule that contains two different medicines, sacubitril and valsartan. It is used to treat a serious heart condition known as heart failure in adults and children one year of age and older.

The Entresto Sprinkle contains oral pellets inside of the capsule. The capsule must be opened and sprinkled onto 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of soft food (such as applesauce, yogurt, or pudding) and taken right away. The capsule should not be swallowed. Do not chew or crush the oral pellets found inside the capsule. Throw away the empty capsule shell.

Follow the directions given to you on how to take Entresto Sprinkle or ask your pharmacist if you are not sure.

If you must switch between the Entresto tablet, oral suspension or Sprinkle, your doctor will adjust the prescribed dose as needed.

Entresto tablets are available in 3 strengths:

• 24 mg / 26 mg (sacubitril 24 mg and valsartan 66 mg)
• 49 mg / 51 mg (sacubitril 49 mg and valsartan 51 mg)
• 97 mg / 103 mg (sacubitril 97 mg and valsartan 103 mg)

Entresto Sprinkle oral pellets are available in 2 strengths:

• 6 mg/6 mg (sacubitril 6 mg and valsartan 6 mg)
• 15 mg/16 mg (sacubitril 15 mg and valsartan 16 mg)

Normally, if a tablet is approved by the FDA to be cut in half, this information will be printed in the “How Supplied” section of the package insert. Also, the tablet will be scored with a mark or line indicating where to split it. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you split or crush any medication if you are not sure.

If a medicine does not include this information in the package insert, the FDA has not studied it to ensure that the two halves of a split tablet contain the same amount of drug or work similarly to the whole tablet.

What if my child cannot swallow the Entresto tablet?

If you or your child cannot swallow the Entresto tablets, or they are not available in the right strength, your pharmacist can prepare Entresto as a liquid suspension from the tablets OR your doctor can prescribe the correct strength of the Entresto Sprinkle.

Learn More: Entresto Images - What does Entresto look like?

This is not all the information you need to know about Entresto (sacubitril and valsartan) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your health care provider.