Has anybody been taking the drug ENTRESTO? Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you

[Bridges4]

New drug for heart failure/Blood Pressure

[BobD Volunteer]

This name came up some time back so it might be worth you searching the forum (use search, top right ) and see what is there.

[Bridges4 in reply to BobD]

Thank you Bob. Take care

[etheral]

I have been taking Entresto for approximately 6 mos. I was placed on it after an episode of acute CHF precipitated by an episode of AFib on top of a baseline Ejection Fraction of 30 % due to old MI. It replaced Lisinipril. Studies show that was Superior in reducing subsequent episodes of CHF , hospitalizations and suddendeath compared to Lisinipril. I have had no side effects or episodes of CHF or AFib since. I also take Tikosyn, Eliquis,and carvedllol. I am a 66yo male.

[Bridges4 in reply to etheral]

Thank you for your reply. It is such a new drug, it's nice to have the benefit of first hand experience. I have read the literature and evidence and it seems to be just what I need.

I will start on Entresto at the beginning of September (delayed starting because of my travel) as it needs careful monitoring in the initial stages. I am 76 yo male and also have diabetes, left bundle branch block, hypertension as well as CHF.

I will keep you posted on my progress and do please let me know if you have any events to report. Stay well and best wishes

[etheral in reply to Bridges4]

Will be interested to hear of your experience. Best of luck, etheral

[P0rtnahapp1e]

Hi Bridges4 ,

I’ve been on it since last November. It usually comes in 3 dosages and the patient starts at the lowest (24mg) and works their way up. I was on the second level but my hf nurse was very nervous of my low bp so put me back down to the lower level after a few weeks.

I have stayed at that dose ever since but have an appt with my cardiologist on Monday and it’s one of the subjects which I want to bring up as I feel the nurse was, (understandably), over cautious. She called me every day to check on my progress.

I was hospitalised for the first few days of taking the drug so that they could monitor my reaction and I’m still on the lowest dosage with no side effects nor complications.

[Bridges4]

Thank you for your reply. It seems to be an exiting new drug but, like you, I will be taking it under a monitoring protocol but as an outpatient. I have been told not to travel during the initial treatment.

It is obviously a powerful drug but I have never had to have this type of monitoring before despite being prescribed many different types of medication for my various ailments (12 tabs bd).

Thanks again for your post and we must keep each other informed of progress!

[P0rtnahapp1e]

I was in hospital anyway with a chest infection so my cardiologist used the opportunity to start my medication under supervision. It isn’t the norm to be hospitalised for it I believe.

Apparently it can’t be given to patients who tend to have low blood pressure and mine is normally very low so that was another reason to monitor it carefully.

My furosemide medication, (to get rid of fluid which my heart is unable to shift), was 120mg a day and was reduced to 40mg as it also lowers bp. I now have tree trunks of legs instead of my previous shapely pins, but I’m feeling a lot better. It’s all a balancing act. No one solution is going to be perfect.

The good thing about a newish drug is that your effects are scrutinised so much more than with some of the tried and tested medication. When I took Entresto originally I found a gentleman from North America who had been on it for a considerable time and he was given the highest dose from day one, no gentle steps for him! He was doing really well, with no side effects and no hospitalisation since he started.