What Is Omtralo Used For?

Omtralo is a prescription medication specifically designed to treat a type of heart failure in adults. It has been proven to reduce the risk of heart-related deaths and hospitalizations due to heart failure.

Primary Uses

Omtralo is used to treat heart failure in adults. Clinical studies have shown it can lower the risk of cardiovascular-related deaths and heart failure-related hospitalizations.

How It Works

Omtralo contains two active ingredients: sacubitril (a neprilysin inhibitor) and valsartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker). It works by blocking changes caused by the enzyme neprilysin and angiotensin-II. This helps blood vessels relax and reduces water retention in the body, which is beneficial for treating heart failure.

How to Take Omtralo

Omtralo should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication comes as tablets that should be swallowed whole, and can be taken with or without food.

Dosage Instructions

Take one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening. The usual starting dose is one 49 mg/51 mg (pale yellow) tablet taken twice a day. Some patients may start at a lower dose. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on how you respond to treatment after 2 to 4 weeks until the best dose for you is found. Continue taking Omtralo until your doctor tells you to stop.

What If You Miss a Dose?

Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Take Omtralo regularly at the same time each day for best results.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• Dizziness
• Fainting or light-headedness
• Cough
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Feeling sick or nauseous
• Stomach pain
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, chills)
• Runny or blocked nose
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Urinating more frequently
• Dizziness when standing up
• Trouble sleeping
• Back pain or joint pain

Important Warnings

There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Omtralo. Some conditions and medications make Omtralo unsafe to use.

Who Should Not Take Omtralo

Do not use Omtralo if you: are allergic to sacubitril, valsartan, or any ingredients in the medication; are taking another medicine for high blood pressure or heart failure from a class known as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor; have taken an ACE inhibitor within the last 36 hours; you or a family member have had swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat while taking an ACE inhibitor or ARB in the past; are taking aliskiren and have Type 2 diabetes; have severe liver disease.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you: are already taking any ACE inhibitor or ARB; have low blood pressure; are taking other blood pressure lowering medicines; have ever experienced swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat; have kidney or liver problems; are taking medicines that increase potassium in your blood, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines, or heparin; have any other medical condition.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Omtralo if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, tell your doctor immediately. Use contraception while using Omtralo and for 1 week after stopping. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interfere with Omtralo and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.

• ACE inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers)
• Statins (cholesterol-lowering medicines like atorvastatin)
• Sildenafil (for erectile dysfunction and high blood pressure)
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (like amiloride)
• NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors (pain/arthritis medicines like ibuprofen)
• Lithium (for depression)
• Furosemide (fluid-reducing medicine)
• Metformin (diabetes medicine)
• Rifampicin (antibiotic)
• Ciclosporin (immune system medicine)
• Ritonavir (HIV/AIDS medicine)
• Potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium

Alcohol & Driving

Omtralo may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery and can interact with alcohol. Be cautious until you know how this medication affects you.

Alcohol

There are no known interactions between Omtralo and alcohol. However, be careful drinking alcohol until you know how this medicine affects you.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Omtralo affects you. Omtralo may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people.

Storage

Store Omtralo in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it. Follow the instructions on the carton for proper storage.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Omtralo, seek urgent medical attention immediately. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded if you take too much. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

Frequently Asked Questions