Heart Failure Medications – Loops, SGLT2s, and ARNI – Test Prep and Practice Pearls

If you’re managing patients with heart failure, you already know the medication landscape has evolved quickly over the past decade. From traditional volume management with furosemide to newer, guideline-driven therapies like sacubitril/valsartan and empagliflozin, staying up to date is essential—but not always easy. In this episode, we break down three cornerstone medication classes you’ll encounter every day in practice: loop diuretics, ARNI therapy, and SGLT2 inhibitors. We start with the fundamentals of loop diuretics—how they work, when to use them, and key monitoring parameters—before shifting into the mortality-reducing benefits of ARNI therapy. Finally, we explore the rapidly expanding role of SGLT2 inhibitors, which have transformed both heart failure and chronic kidney disease management. Whether you’re a pharmacist, nurse, or student, this episode focuses on practical, real-world application. We highlight clinical pearls, common pitfalls, and monitoring strategies to help you feel more confident when optimizing therapy. Tune in to sharpen your understanding of these essential therapies and walk away with actionable insights you can use right away in patient care. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101