Sacubitril (;

INN Inns are generally establishments or buildings where travelers can seek lodging, and usually, food and drink. Inns are typically located in the country or along a highway; before the advent of motorized transportation they also provided accommo ...

) is an

antihypertensive Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Antihypertensive therapy seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Evidence suggests that ...

drug used in combination with

valsartan Valsartan, sold under the brand name Diovan among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It belongs to a class of medications referred to as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB ...

. The combination drug sacubitril/valsartan, known during trials as ''LCZ696'' and marketed under the brand name ''Entresto'', is a treatment for

heart failure Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a syndrome, a group of signs and symptoms caused by an impairment of the heart's blood pumping function. Symptoms typically include shortness of breath, excessive fatigue, ...

. It was approved under the FDA's priority review process for use in heart failure on July 7, 2015.

Side effects

Sacubitril increases levels of bradykinin, which is responsible for the

edema Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin which feels tight, the area ma ...

seen sometimes in patients with the medication. This is why the medication is not recommended for patients with a history of

pulmonary edema Pulmonary edema, also known as pulmonary congestion, is excessive liquid accumulation in the tissue and air spaces (usually alveoli) of the lungs. It leads to impaired gas exchange and may cause hypoxemia and respiratory failure. It is du ...

with the usage of ACE inhibitors.

Mechanism of action

Sacubitril is a prodrug that is activated to

sacubitrilat Sacubitrilat (INN; or LBQ657) is the active metabolite of the antihypertensive drug sacubitril, which is used in th