First prescriptions for heart failure

Key facts

• Dapagliflozin and empagliflozin (sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors or SGLT2i) are increasingly used in chronic heart failure, including for patients who do not have diabetes
• Clinical practice for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is moving to the Four Pillars model of prescribing 
• Community pharmacists will see changes in the medicines prescribed for both new and existing patients. This will include increased use of sacubitril + valsartan and SGLT2i as treatments for heart failure
• Pharmacists have a vital role in advising and educating new and existing patients about their medicines for heart failure and why it is important to take them.

Contributing author: Alison Warren, consultant pharmacist, cardiology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sussex ICS