Sacubitril / valsartan and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Gol...
• February 9, 2020

For Heart Failure "My father was diagnosed with CHF in 2003. In March 2018, his cardiologist introduced Entresto. My dad, who is usually wary of trying out new things, was initially skeptical. I understand that his doctor was trying to promote Entresto to my dad for quite some time. I am not sure of the exact conversation between the doctor and my dad, but he ended up taking Entresto. What followed was a pure nightmare for him and us, his family. Dad’s energy levels plummeted, and he developed renal issues not previously experienced. We took him off Entresto, and the doctors gave him other medications which he had never taken before. Eventually, he took Entresto again when his conditions were slowly improving; alas, one thing led to another, with my dad eventually passing away in June 2018. I am glad that Entresto is helping some people, and for the rest of you who have just started using it and experiencing adverse effects not previously experienced, please do listen to your body and stop if need be."

• NUF...
• November 27, 2019

For Heart Failure "This drug Entresto had me shattered, tired beyond belief. I also suffered my left leg collapsing. I suffered this problem for approx. 6 months before I got taken off it. (It may have been a coincidence) However, this problem got worse while on this drug. I now have excruciating pains throughout my whole leg. I have seen my G.P.'s, musculoskeletal pain specialists, and orthopedic practitioner, and no one can come up with a diagnosis. The pains are so excruciating I can't walk when taking Entresto. I was so tired I would fall asleep as soon as I sat down. And that was on the low dose of 49mg. I kept being told it was a fantastic drug, which had its trials cut short because it was so good. However, this doesn't seem to be the case looking at the reviews. If anyone has similar problems to myself, I would be glad to hear it, as I am at my wits' end and I feel it is putting a strain on me trying to cope with the pain. My G.P. has just put me on Tramadol for the pain. However, I am reluctant to take it."

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For Heart Failure "I have Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy & left bundle branch block (LBBB). After taking Entresto for 4 months, my ejection fraction dropped from 31% to a mere 17%. After the 1st week on this drug, I told my doctor of fatigue in my legs, to which he denied it being from the drug. Weeks went on, I complained of the same issues. I suffer tachycardia episodes which doubled. When I complained, he denied it being from the drug. I began to feel older than my age of 56, and when I complained, he denied it again. I told him I wanted my enalapril back, but he denied me. Finally, I asked at what point do you know if the drug is helping my ejection fraction? He said at the 3-month mark, but I was already at the 4-month mark. I insisted on an Echo, and it came back showing the decreased 17%. I finally got my enalapril back and found a new doctor. Still waiting to see if I will survive."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2019

For Heart Failure "A NP switched me from Lisinopril to Entresto eight weeks after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) x2. Bad news from day 1. I took it for approximately 5 days thinking it must just be me, not realizing I was hitting on EVERY side effect mentioned. I've taken all kinds of drugs (including some illicit ones that I'm not really proud of) and in my case found this one to be the most dangerous compound I have ever come across. Blood pressure dropped, fatigue, constant nausea and dizziness, unbelievable shortness of breath even with the most minor exertion, night sweats, and a cough I didn't have before. I put this med in the toilet and went back to Lisinopril. No problems now and have changed cardiologist."

• Ext...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2017

For Heart Failure "I've been on Entresto for two months, and my heart has become extremely worse. My kidney has also deteriorated rapidly. I've lost a lot of weight, decreased appetite, and decreased energy. I'm not going to say this medication is garbage because I'm sure for others it may have helped them, but for me, it has not. My doctor has taken me off of Entresto today, and I have to go back on my old medication in 36 hours. I'm hoping life goes back to normal before I started the use of this medication."

• 682...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2022

For Heart Failure "Permanently lightheaded, kidney pain, cough, constantly itchy, drowsy, unable to sleep, fatigue, and mental confusion. Had a 'wake up' moment and refused to take any more and instantly started feeling mental sharpness returning. Has been the worst experience of heart failure medication I've had in 15 years. Was hopeful in the beginning my ejection fraction of 30 would see improvement... it is now 18! Will score 1/10, only as I can't give lower!"

• Mac...
• April 7, 2020

For Heart Failure "Male, 61 years old. I had a tissue aortic valve inserted late 2017, thanks, Grandma, for the hand-me-down. Then, in early 2019, I started to get fatigued and short of breath, it was not good. In September 2019, my cardiologist fitted my pacemaker with a defibrillator and put me on 1.5 tablets a day, 24/26 mg. I have never felt better since taking Entresto. Seriously, I feel like a new man again. It is just good to move freely, climbing stairs, hills, etc., without becoming tired and fatigued."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2021

For Heart Failure "After a severe heart failure in 2017, my husband was in a coma for 5 days. He was taken out of the coma, had a defib implant, HEF (heart ejection fraction) at 18%, and was discharged with metoprolol and Enalapril. Six months later, he is building a shed and feeling rejuvenated. The doctor changed Enalapril to Entresto, a new miracle drug for people with low HEF. This easygoing, laughing, funny man changed to a dizzy, weak-legged, extremely fatigued, despondent, depressed man. No energy, no stamina, no taste for food, can't bend over to put on shoes and socks, feeling like he is going to fall, up for a couple of hours, then needs to sleep for 4 hours, pulse in the 80s+, BP got as low as 63/41. Very low BP reading. Called the hospital, after a telephone conference due to COVID, advised to stop Entresto. Amazing, he feels back to his usual optimistic self, looking forward to a new grandchild, which he was thinking 'prepare for the time of death' planning! This drug might work for some, but not for 51% of people."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2021

For Heart Failure "After a severe heart failure in 2017, my husband was in a coma for 5 days. He was taken out of the coma, had a defib implant, HEF (heart ejection fraction) at 18%, and was discharged with metoprolol and Enalapril. Six months later, he is building a shed and feeling rejuvenated. The doctor changed Enalapril to Entresto, a new miracle drug for people with low HEF. This easygoing, laughing, funny man changed to a dizzy, weak-legged, extremely fatigued, despondent, depressed man. No energy, no stamina, no taste for food, can't bend over to put on shoes and socks, feeling like he is going to fall, up for a couple of hours, then needs to sleep for 4 hours, pulse in the 80s+, BP got as low as 63/41. Very low BP reading. Called the hospital, after a telephone conference due to COVID, advised to stop Entresto. Amazing, he feels back to his usual optimistic self, looking forward to a new grandchild, which he was thinking 'prepare for the time of death' planning! This drug might work for some, but not for 51% of people."

• Pur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2023

For Heart Failure "In February 2022, my husband had congestive heart failure with an EF of 10%. His cardiologist put him on Entresto 24-26 mg along with carvedilol 12.5 mg 2x daily. Within a couple of days, he was complaining about having trouble walking. This went on for months but was getting worse. The pain would start at the top of his feet, sharp stabbing pain, and travel up both legs until it would stop him dead in his tracks. He had to have follow-up tests, and his EF rate is now 60-65%. His cardiologist stopped his Lasix for about a week to see if that was causing the leg pain, but no. Then he stopped the rosuvastatin 40 mg for a week; still no. The pain was getting worse, and he was getting fatigued. He was also becoming weak. My husband had bloodwork, and his potassium was high. The doctor immediately stopped the Entresto. I would not recommend Entresto. It seems to cause more harm than good."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2017

For Heart Failure "When I was first taken off of Enalapril, I started Entresto on the lowest dosage (50 mg). The only side effect I had was a lack of energy. My dosage was doubled to 100 mg after a few weeks. That was when I started noticing worse side effects. Breathing difficulties were the most significant. I also noticed my energy levels decreased even further: lightheadedness and dizziness when standing, dry mouth, increased thirst, and throat swelling (all of which I'm suffering from at the moment). As suggested on the insert for this medication, I will not be taking my next PM and AM dosage because of the throat swelling and will be calling my cardiologist first thing in the morning."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2018

For Heart Failure "I have dilated cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 20. I was told I will need a heart transplant in the future. My doctor put me on Entresto, and I feel like a new person. I have my energy back, no fatigue, breathe much easier, and have a heightened sex drive. Before Entresto, I could barely walk up the stairs, I had to take a 3-hour nap every afternoon and had trouble sleeping. I am on it 3 months, taking 97 mg 2x a day, and today I was able to walk 1 1/2 miles!!! I am so happy that this medicine has given me my life back."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2022

For Heart Failure "I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. My original issue was that I was waking up in the middle of the night with irregular, fast palpitations. I had 3 nights in a row drinking alcohol in moderation. On the 3rd night, I woke up with very heavy and fast palpitations. I had many tests the next day at a private hospital here in SE Asia. An echocardiogram indicated that my heart function was in the low 40% range. This was 2 months ago that I was initially diagnosed. My doctor put me on 50 mg of Entresto twice a day - started 2 months ago. Yesterday, I had a follow-up echo, and my heart function raised to 55%. I'm really impressed with the results. The only side effects I've had are lower back muscle pain and a bit of fatigue. It was worse when starting these pills, but then the body adjusted. I'm glad to be taking Entresto, and my doctor said I will be on it for a long time. We'll see about that."

• CAP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2019

For Heart Failure "I have had very little side effects with the 99-103 Entresto. The side effects I have noted are fatigue and the need to sleep 9 hours a day. My heart is at less than 30%, so that may be the cause, or it may be the Entresto."

• Sim...
• September 14, 2022

For Heart Failure "35-year-old had a heart attack of unknown cause. Heart failure. A-fib. Scar tissue. Ejection fraction of 12%! As close to death as you can get. Struggled for 2 months, and the doc tried me on a low dose of Entresto. I'd say within a week of being on this drug, I noticed my hands warmed up. They were no longer frozen due to circulation. Things picked up. At the 6-month mark, cardioversion reset A-fib. Ejection rate = 20%. At the 1-year mark, ejection rate = 40%. Increased the dose of Entresto to 51/49. At 14 months, ejection rate = 45%. Side effects - severe fatigue, brain fog, lower back pain, bloating, possibly sharp heart pain. Good med."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2022

For Heart Failure "I’m a 75-year-old female with left bundle branch block (LBBB). Very sensitive to BP meds. Was put on amlodipine 5 mg. BP was still high. Was put on Entresto low dose. Side effects were fatigue and lightheadedness. BP went down but too far, I was really, really tired and went to lie down. Checked BP, it was 111/51, pulse 86. I stopped taking it after 3 days. I’m still lightheaded and tired. Taking beet juice and diuretic BP 127/72. Notified doctor I remembered I was allergic to losartan."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2022

For Heart Failure "72 yr old male with heart failure. Had an echo that showed 40-45% for years. Dropped down to 30% and started to feel the effects after many years. Trouble breathing with any exertion. Cardiologist started me on Entresto and had 3 months of feeling worse, as it made my blood pressure get low. Got another echo to see if pacemaker eligible. I stuck with it, and after 90 days, I started feeling much better. The lightheadedness and extreme fatigue lessened, and I’m feeling much better. Latest echo showed 45-50%. Highest it has been since aortic valve replaced 18 years ago. Miracle drug, in my opinion. Took a while for my body to adjust to the drug, but I’m glad I didn’t get discouraged. Only drawback is on Medicare and gets very expensive when you fall into the gap. Very expensive. Will do without other stuff to continue to take, as it makes me feel so much better."

• Rgr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2025

For Heart Failure "In 2022, at age 62, diagnosed with LVEF of 15. (Per Dr. most likely virus-related) Started on Entresto, metoprolol, spironolactone, and Farxiga. No improvement for 12 months. 13 months/2023 my EF increased to 47 and then 12 months later to 50. I was on the above regimen for 2.5 years. Had slight dizziness when I stood up and fatigue, very low blood pressure 80/60 and maybe brain fog. Old Dr., MD retired. New Dr., DO changed me to Valsartan/2024. After 2 months, my EF is 30. Dr. wants to stay the course and increase Valsartan and have Echo after 2 months. To be continued."

• Ahm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

For Heart Failure "I am doing really bad right now. Can’t sleep for a week now. An hour of sleep here and there. Fatigue, stomach tightness, and pain. It’s the worst feeling I have ever had to endure."