Entresto. Would appreciate any discussion, pros, cons.

I called the Entresto phone number for financial help. It was covered under my insurance. However, it is Not covered now due to a generic being available. When I called, they said they could help if I had Medicare/Medicaid. They transferred me to the insurance department. There I was told that unless insurance covered it, they could not provide a discount coupon.
I am appealing to my insurance company to cover the real Entresto. I have developed significant neurological side effects from the generic. My insurance put in a transition of care and allowed me 1 month of real Entresto (with using the discount coupon), to try to see if the neuro side effects are from the generic form or from something else, and while I am appealing the final decision if real Entresto will be covered again. The neuro symptoms are significant. Blood work is all good. Even went to a neurologist. Without insurance, Entresto can cost $630 for a 30 day supply.

@pht1123
I just got my latest order for Entresto. My usual cost was $125.00 for a 90-day supply through my BCBS federal insurance program mail order. I looked at my invoice and saw $20.00 due not $125.00. I then say generic.

I sent a message to my heart failure doctor who said Entresto had just gone generic and that they did not have any issues with generic. I am still on previous bottle for Entresto brand. I hope I don't have the same side effects as you did but now will be aware of it to monitor. The main ingredients are the same.

I was getting Entresto free when my insurance was not paying for it. The BCBS approved it and when from 0 to $125.00 by mail. If from retail it would have been around $500.00.

Are you saying your insurance will no longer cover the brand and make you buy the generic and that is why Entresto said no? If your insurance says no would not Entresto have a financial help for you?

I do know that your doctor can specify no generic just brand. Maybe that is something you can see if Entresto would now cover since you are having side effects from generic.

You said you got the brand Entresto. Did you have the same side effects as generic? If not, then your doctor needs to say brand only and then try to say Entresto doctor states brand only. Worth a try. Entresto bases their responses on your answers to their questions.

Hi jc76,
For me - insurance no longer covers the brand name Entresto (I have UHC). I began having neurological symptoms when I was switched to the generic -- the same main ingredients - but there could be the combination with their "preservatives" or something in them that caused the problems. I called Entresto for help - they will cover it if I have Medicare or Medicaid (which I don't). The insurance division will only give me a coupon if my insurance covers it. The generic costs about $15 per month. Name brand Entresto costs $630+ where I live. I now am at a 2nd appeal process - with sending them a letter - FAX, snail mail to a po box and certified return receipt. There is no way they can say they did not get my letter. I have written to my doctor again asking them to put in a 2nd appeal. They already provided medical records. I did not take 1 dose this weekend - and did not have the symptoms - amazing. I am afraid to stop it as I don't want my EF to go down. I had no side effects from the brand name. Since the generic is so new - they may not be aware of side effects which occur. Even specifying no generic, the insurance will not cover it. Will keep you updated.

The study that showed possible benefits for Entresto had an insignificant (statistically) number of people, as in less than 100. I take it as with Medicare and the new $2,000 max payout thanks to the Biden legislation it is free for the rest of the year.

I would not hesitate to take different drugs without hesitation. Even with Entresto it is important to also be taking the proper 50mg dose of Metoprolol Succinate.

Thanks for the info. I can't take Metoprolol since it is a beta blocker and not good for significant asthmatics like myself.

I'm asthmatic too. Metoporol is the only Beta blocker that works for me. They've tried to take me off it several times but my heart acts up.I've had a pacemaker installed. So far so good still get a bit of breathlessness as I've got AF

Hello, I am back again with a question about the generic Entresto. Yes, I am faced with having to switch from brand to generic due to coverage and cost of the brand name. Does anyone have any expereience with taking the generic instead? I'm fearful of possibly losing ground in the treatment of my heart failure. Thank you in advance for any discussion.
Wishuing you all peace, love and better health in the future.

@joyh
I just picked up my new bottle of Entresto generic. I checked with my Mayo heart failure doctor about taking the generic. They had not objection to taking the generic.

The active ingredients in the generic is the same a brand. I am still on my brand bottle of Entresto but will let you know if any side affects.

Entresto is a great medication but the active ingredients are the same in brand.

@jc76 Thank you so much!

Good update. After numerous appeals, my insurance finally agreed to an additional 6 months of Brand Entresto. I will continue to follow up - as this is a long term medication for me and 6 months is good initially, but will not be enough. Since being back on the Brand Entresto, all of my side effects from the generic have disappeared. I even checked and grateful that neuro and ophthalmology exams are all normal. The only change for me was the generic Entresto. There must be something in the generic which caused the problems. Good luck and hope it works well for you.