Entresto vs. Jardiance for Heart Failure: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are both medications that can help with heart-related conditions, but they belong to different medication classes and have different uses. Entresto is an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) used to treat heart failure in people ages 1 year and older. Jardiance, on the other hand, is a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor used to manage Type 2 diabetes in people aged 10 and older, and it also helps lower the risk of heart problems in adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease. Entresto is taken twice a day, while Jardiance is taken once daily. Entresto is available as tablets or oral pellets, and it doesn't have a generic version. Jardiance is only available as a tablet and also lacks a generic version. Common side effects of Entresto include low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and dizziness, while Jardiance can cause urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and increased urination. Entresto should not be taken with angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors due to risks of increased side effects. Jardiance can cause low blood sugar when combined with other diabetes medications.

Entresto

(sacubitril / valsartan)

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Jardiance

(empagliflozin)

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Summary for Entresto

Prescription only

Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) is a combination medication called an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI). It's used for heart failure in adults and children ages 1 year and older. It helps lower the risk of hospital stays and heart-related death in adults with heart failure. You usually take the medication by mouth twice a day. Entresto is available as tablets. It also comes as Entresto Sprinkle, which are capsules you open and mix the pellets inside with soft food. Side effects include low blood pressure and cough. As of early 2025, there's no generic version of this medication.

Indications for Entresto

Heart failure in people ages 1 year or older

Pros and Cons for Entresto

Pros

First-choice treatment for some people with heart failure
Can lower the risk of hospital visits related to heart failure in adults
Combines two medications into one pill for convenience
Available as tablets, oral pellets, or a prepared oral solution

Cons

Need to take twice daily
Can cause dizziness and low blood pressure
Not safe during pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Entresto

Low blood pressure (18%)
High potassium levels (12%)
Cough (9%)
Dizziness (6%)
Kidney problems (5%)

Warnings for Entresto

Not safe during pregnancy
Swelling of face, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
Low blood pressure
Kidney problems
High potassium levels

Summary for Jardiance

Prescription only

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a medication that's used along with a nutritious diet and routine exercise to improve blood sugar levels in people 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the chance of serious complications, hospitalization, and death in certain adults with heart failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Jardiance (empagliflozin) belongs to the drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth once a day. Side effects can include urinary tract infections (UTIs), yeast infections, and weight loss.

Indications for Jardiance

Type 2 diabetes (in addition to diet and exercise) in people age 10 years and older
Lowering the risk of death due to heart problems in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease
Lowering the risk of hospitalization and death due to heart problems in adults with heart failure
Lowering the risk of worsening kidney problems, hospitalization, and death due to heart problems in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Pros and Cons for Jardiance

Pros

Taken by mouth once a day
Unlikely to cause weight gain
Can take with other diabetes medications

Cons

Raises risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections
Might make you urinate more
Not recommended during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

Common Side Effects for Jardiance

Urinary tract infection (UTI; 8-9%)
Vaginal yeast infection in females (5-6%)
Upper respiratory tract infection (3-4%)
High cholesterol or fat levels (3-4%)
Urinating more than usual (3%)

Warnings for Jardiance

Ketoacidosis
Low fluids in the body (leading to low blood pressure or dehydration)
Genital and urinary tract infections
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when used with certain other diabetes medications
Leg and foot amputations
Allergic reactions