Vericiguat

Vericiguat is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization following hospitalization for HF or the need for outpatient IV diuretics, in adults with symptomatic chronic HF and ejection fraction less than 45%

• Vericiguat is available under the following different brand names: Verquvo

Adult dosage

Tablet

• 2.5mg
• 5mg
• 10mg

Heart Failure Risk Reduction

Adult dosage

• Take with food to improve bioavailability
• Starting dose
  • 5 mg orally once daily with food
  • Patients at risk of symptomatic hypotension: 2.5 mg orally once daily with food
• Maintenance
  • Double dose approximately every 2 weeks as tolerated to target dose of 10 mg orally daily

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of Vericiguat include:

• low blood pressure, and
• low red blood cells (anemia).

Serious side effects of Vericiguat include:

• signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and
• a light-headed feeling, like passing out.

Rare side effects of Vericiguat include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

Drug interaction overview

• Coadministration with other sGC stimulators is contraindicated
• Coadministration with PDE-5 inhibitors not recommended owing to potential for hypotension

Contraindications

• Coadministration with other soluble Guanylate cyclases (sGC) stimulators
• Pregnancy

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Vericiguat?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Vericiguat?”

Cautions

• Based on data from animal reproduction studies, may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant females and its use is contraindicated
• Drug interaction overview
  • Coadministration with other sGC stimulators is contraindicated
  • Coadministration with PDE-5 inhibitors is not recommended owing to the potential for hypotension

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Contraindicated; based on data from animal reproduction studies, may cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant females
• There are no available data regarding use in pregnant females
• Verify pregnancy status in females of reproductive potential before initiating
• If the patient becomes pregnant during treatment, report drug exposure by calling 1-877-888-4231 or at https://pregnancyreporting.4verquvo-us.com
• Contraception
  • Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 1 month after the final dose
• Lactation
  • Data are not available on the presence of vericiguat in human milk, effects on breastfed infants, or effects on milk production
  • Vericiguat is present in the milk of lactating rats and Vericiguat or its metabolites are likely to present in human milk
  • Owing to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment