Can Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) cause depression?
Depression is not a commonly listed side effect of Entresto, but mood changes can occur with medications that affect the cardiovascular system, including drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system (like valsartan, an ARB, which is part of Entresto). If you notice new or worsening depression after starting Entresto, it’s important to contact the prescriber promptly to assess whether the timing fits and to rule out other causes.
What mood or mental health side effects should you watch for?
Patients are typically advised to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms such as:
- new or worsening low mood
- anxiety or agitation
- unusual sleep changes
- feeling detached or hopeless
- suicidal thoughts
If any suicidal thoughts occur, get urgent help immediately (local emergency number or crisis line).
Could depression be related to heart failure itself rather than Entresto?
Yes. Depression is common in people with heart failure, and symptoms like fatigue, reduced activity, and sleep disruption can overlap with depression. That means a person can experience depression after starting Entresto without the drug being the direct cause. The key clinical question is whether symptoms started or clearly worsened after the medication change.
What should you do if you think Entresto is affecting your mood?
- Call the prescribing clinician and describe the timing (when you started Entresto and when symptoms began).
- Don’t stop Entresto on your own; stopping abruptly can worsen heart failure.
- Ask whether dose adjustment, a different regimen, or evaluation for other contributors is appropriate (for example, anemia, thyroid issues, other medications, or substance use).
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care right away if depression includes suicidal thoughts, self-harm thoughts, severe agitation/confusion, or inability to function safely.
Sources
No sources were provided in the prompt for this topic, so I can’t cite specific prescribing information or clinical trial adverse-event tables here. If you share your country (or paste the Entresto label’s “adverse reactions” section), I can align the answer precisely with that text.