Entresto Generic: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters for Heart Failure Patients

When you hear Entresto generic, the generic version of the heart failure drug sacubitril valsartan, approved by the FDA to treat chronic heart failure in adults. Also known as sacubitril/valsartan, it combines two active ingredients to help the heart pump more efficiently and reduce hospital visits. This isn’t just another generic drug—it’s a game-changer for people managing heart failure long-term.

Before the generic arrived, Entresto (brand name) cost over $500 a month. That price kept many patients from filling prescriptions, even when their doctors said it was the best option. Now, with sacubitril valsartan, the active combination in Entresto that reduces mortality and hospitalization in heart failure patients available as a generic, the price has dropped by 80% or more in many pharmacies. This shift didn’t happen overnight. It followed years of clinical trials proving the drug works better than older heart failure meds like enalapril. The FDA required strict bioequivalence, testing that proves a generic drug performs the same way in the body as the brand-name version before approving any generic version. That means if your doctor switches you from brand to generic, you’re getting the same results—not a cheaper copy, but an identical medicine.

Heart failure patients often take multiple pills a day. Adding a new medication can feel overwhelming. But switching to the generic doesn’t mean you’re settling. It means you’re getting the same science-backed treatment at a price you can afford. Many people don’t realize that the FDA holds generics to the same manufacturing standards as brand-name drugs. The same factories sometimes make both. The only difference? The label and the price.

If you’ve been on Entresto for a while, you’ve probably noticed how it improves your energy, breathing, and ability to do daily tasks. The generic does the same thing—because it’s the same medicine. But now, you’re not paying extra for the brand name. This is exactly why first generic approvals matter: they open the door to better care for more people.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how to talk to your doctor about switching, what to watch for when changing medications, and how bioequivalence testing keeps you safe. You’ll also see how Entresto compares to other heart failure treatments—and why this generic approval is one of the biggest wins in cardiovascular care in the last decade.