Sacubitril / valsartan and Lightheadedness: What Users Say

• woo...
• January 14, 2017

For Heart Failure "Took the 24 mg med and feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Blood pressure dropped to 60 and was sent to ICU for observation for several days. My potassium level went up to 6.9 and lab test results show kidney problems. The new cardiologist put me on Metolazone instead to remove excess fluid on lungs and it worked great! No more shortness of breath and no more swelling in the legs and stomach, and no excess fluid in the lungs. I advise to take a look at it first and do your research before taking this medication. Good thing I only took it for 6 weeks, but that short time did not give me good results."

• 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!"

• CMB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Heart Failure "I went into sudden cardiac arrest and had to be shocked with the defibrillator. My heart was functioning at 35%. I now have an implanted defibrillator. My cardiologist said that they think I had a virus that attacked my heart, which caused myocarditis. Dr. prescribed Entresto, Carvedil, and Aldactone. I had to have the Dr. lower my dose of the Carvedil because I was experiencing very bad dizziness and lightheadedness. The Entresto has me coughing all day and night. It’s the worst feeling having to cough so much. I just recently had an ultrasound and after a few months on this medicine, my heart is still pumping at 35%. I pray that this number increases."

• maz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2016

For Heart Failure "I felt dizzy, light-headed, confused, and my throat felt like it was closing. I can't tell if it is any good because you are on so many medications when you have stage 3 heart failure. But I do know this: the trials should have gone forward to look at all evidence, these fast-track FDA approvals have killed a lot of people because of serious side effects. Look at the law commercials you see every day."

• Lar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 12, 2018

For Heart Failure "I have been on Entresto for 12 months now and continually have to visit my GP because of lightheadedness. The dosage has been increased to the maximum and then reduced down to the lowest dose, but still the dangerous lightheadedness persists. My GP has not taken me off Entresto as she states it is not suiting me. My energy levels increased initially but are now worse than they were originally. Since stopping Entresto, my quality of life is much better. I am perhaps one of the unfortunate patients that Entresto disagrees with."

• 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."

• 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."

• are...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2021

For Heart Failure "I've had CHF for years, but my former cardiologist never put me on any medication to help my heart. Plus, he was a total a**hole, so I found another cardiologist with great credentials. At any rate, only 2 weeks ago, they started me on a very low dose of Entresto because of high creatinine levels. Even at that low dose of splitting a 24-26 mg tab and taking half in the morning and half at night, I've had an increase in my balance issues (already had some from neuropathy in my feet), itchiness that won't stop, what was just a small pain in my left side is now a really bad pain all around my waistline area, about 8-10 inches wide, from abdominal pain to back pain. I'm dizzy or lightheaded all the time, get confused easily, and my legs feel like they weigh 100 lbs each at times. All this at a very minimal dose! I have an appointment with my cardiologist in about 6 hours from now, and I'm telling them to take me off this S#!t because for me, it's dangerous! I can't even stand up straight."

• 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."

• Kam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 29, 2021

For Heart Failure "Nearly 3 years ago, I had a heart attack and a triple bypass soon after. Ejection fraction (EF) was 30 after surgery. After 1 year, my EF was 35, and my cardiologist put me on Entresto (24 mg). I had some side effects: dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, but I’d had those symptoms only milder because of the many HF meds I’m on. After 1 year, EF was 40, the cardiologist upped the prescription to 49-52 mg. My EF is now 55, the low side of normal, but 55 is huge! Still issues with side effects, but I am stronger, and I feel better overall. I think this drug is a miracle drug! I’ve another echo next month, and I’m looking forward to it!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

For Heart Failure "I have HFPEF - so I am a minority here. The PE is preserved ejection fraction, which means my heart is moving enough blood to my brain. My cardiologist said recent studies indicated that I could benefit from this drug. He removed me from Losartan 100 mg (ARB) but kept me on Norvasc 2.5 mg and Toprol XL 200 mg extended tab. I am also AFIB and subject to swelling of the legs due to water retention. During the first 60 days on Entresto 24 mg -26 mg (lowest dose), I felt lightheaded for several hours after taking the pill at 7:30 am. After 60 days, the light head disappeared and I had more energy, my BP was the best in years. But, since I take a strong dose of Lasix diuretic every day, I am not sure if I should take less or more. Potassium levels may also be screwed up since I take KCL 10 mEq pills (2 per day) to replace potassium lost by high doses of diuretics."

• Rai...
• May 18, 2017

For Heart Failure "While taking a lower dose, I felt better than since taking a higher dose. My breathing suffers more, also, I feel more lightheaded."