Can Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) cause drowsiness or sleepiness?
Entresto can cause side effects that may feel like sleepiness in some people, but it’s not one of the most commonly reported effects compared with things like low blood pressure and dizziness. If you feel unusually tired after starting Entresto, it can be related to how the medicine affects blood pressure and circulation.
Why would Entresto make someone feel sleepy?
A common pathway is low blood pressure (hypotension). When blood pressure drops, people can feel lightheaded, weak, or unusually tired. Dizziness and fatigue can sometimes be described as “sleepy” or “sluggish,” especially soon after starting treatment or after dose changes.
What symptoms would point more to low blood pressure than “sleepiness”?
Seek urgent medical advice if sleepiness is accompanied by warning signs such as fainting, severe dizziness, chest pain, or confusion. In routine situations, tell your clinician promptly if you notice:
- New or worsening fatigue/weakness
- Feeling faint when standing
- Dizziness soon after doses
- Rapid decline in energy levels after dose increases
Does timing matter—can taking it at night help?
Some people feel more tired after their dose. If your clinician says it’s appropriate, shifting the dose schedule (for example, taking part of the daily dose at night) may help manage symptoms. Don’t change timing or dosing on your own—adjustments should be guided by your prescriber, especially because Entresto is dosed based on blood pressure tolerance.
Who is more likely to feel sleepy from Entresto?
The risk of feeling weak or tired tends to be higher if you:
- Have lower baseline blood pressure
- Recently increased the dose
- Are also taking other blood pressure-lowering medicines
- Have dehydration or missed diuretic dosing (or have fluid balance issues)
What should you do if you feel overly sleepy on Entresto?
Call your prescribing clinician if the sleepiness is new, persistent, or worsening. They may check blood pressure, review other medications, and adjust the dose. If you feel like you might pass out or you have severe dizziness, get urgent help.
Can anything else be confused with Entresto-related sleepiness?
Yes. Sleepiness can also come from heart failure itself, anemia, other medicines (like beta-blockers, diuretics, or sedatives), poor sleep, or depression. If you started Entresto recently, it’s still worth discussing, but your clinician may look for other causes too.
If you tell me your dose (and when you take it), how long after the dose you feel sleepy, and whether you also feel dizzy or lightheaded, I can help you narrow down whether it sounds more like low blood pressure versus another cause.