What is Sacubitril/Valsartan and what is used for:
- This medicine contains an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor.
 
- It delivers two active substances, Sacubitril and Valsartan.
 
- It is used to treat a type of long-term heart failure in adults.
 
- This type of heart failure occurs when the heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
 
- The most common symptoms of heart failure are breathlessness, fatigue, tiredness and ankle swelling. 
 
- If you have any questions about how Sacubitril/Valsartan works or why this medicine has been prescribed for you, ask your doctor. 
 
Do not take Sacubitril/Valsartan:
- if you are allergic to sacubitril, valsartan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
 
- if you are taking another type of medicine called an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (for example enalapril, lisinopril or ramipril).
 
- ACE inhibitors are used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure.
 
- If you have been taking an ACE inhibitor, wait for 36 hours after taking the last dose before you start to take this medicine.
 
- if you or a member of your family have ever had a reaction called angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, difficulties in breathing) when taking an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) (such as valsartan, telmisartan or irbesartan).
 
- if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and you are being treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren (see “Other medicines and Sacubitril/Valsartan”).
 
- if you have severe liver disease.
 
- if you are more than 3 months pregnant (it is also better to avoid this medicine in early pregnancy)
 
Warnings & Precautions: 
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sacubitril/Valsartan: 
 
- if you are being treated with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) or aliskiren.
 
- if you have ever had angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulties in breathing or swallowing).
 
- if you have low blood pressure or are taking any other medicines that reduce your blood pressure (for example, a diuretic) or are suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if you are aged 65 years or more, or if you have kidney disease and low blood pressure.
 
- if you have severe kidney disease.
 
- if you are suffering from dehydration.
 
- if your kidney artery has narrowed.
 
- if you have liver disease. 
 
Possible Side Effects:
- Stop taking Sacubitril/Valsartan and seek immediate medical attention if you notice any swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulties in breathing or swallowing. These may be signs of angioedema
 
Other medicines and Sacubitril/Valsartan:
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
 
- It is particularly important that you mention any of the following medicines containing any of the following active substances, as your doctor may need to adjust the Sacubitril/Valsartan dose for you. 
 
- ACE inhibitors. Do not take Sacubitril/Valsartan with ACE inhibitors. If you have been taking an ACE inhibitor, wait 36 hours after taking the last dose of the ACE inhibitor before starting to take Sacubitril/Valsartan.
 
- If you stop taking Sacubitril/Valsartan, wait 36 hours after taking your last dose of Sacubitril/Valsartan before starting an ACE inhibitor.
 
- other medicines used to treat heart failure or lower blood pressure, such as angiotensin receptor blockers or aliskiren.
 
- some medicines known as statins that are used to lower high cholesterol levels (for example atorvastatin).
 
- sildenafil, a medicine used to treat erectile dysfunction or lung hypertension.
 
- medicines that increase the amount of potassium in the blood. These include potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines and heparin.
 
- painkillers of the type called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) or selective cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) inhibitors.
 
- If you are taking one of these, your doctor may want to check your kidney function when starting or adjusting treatment.
 
- lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of psychiatric illness.
 
- furosemide, a medicine belonging to the type known as diuretics, which are used to increase the amount of urine you produce.
 
- nitroglycerine, a medicine used to treat angina pectoris.
 
- some types of antibiotics (rifamycin group), ciclosporin (used to prevent rejection of transplanted organs) or antivirals such as ritonavir (used to treat HIV/AIDS).
 
- metformin, a medicine used to treat diabetes. 
 
How to take Sacubitril/Valsartan:
- Your doctor will decide your exact starting dose based on which medicines you have been taking previously.
 
- Your doctor will then adjust the dose depending on how you respond to the treatment until the best dose for you is found.
 
- Patients taking Sacubitril/Valsartan can develop low blood pressure (dizziness, light-headedness), a high level of potassium in the blood (which would be detected when your doctor performed a blood test) or decreased kidney function.
 
- If this happens, your doctor may reduce the dose of any other medicine you are taking, temporarily reduce your Sacubitril/Valsartan dose, or stop your Sacubitril/Valsartan treatment completely.
 
- Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. You can take Sacubitril/Valsartan with or without food. 
 
How to store Sacubitril/Valsartan: 
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
 
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP.
 
- The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 
 
- This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
 
- Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.