Verquvo
Verquvo (vericiguat) is used in adults with chronic (long-lasting) heart failure to lower the risk of dying and lessen the need to go to the hospital for heart complications. Verquvo (vericiguat) is an option for people who still experience symptoms after being recently hospitalized for heart failure or needing to use injectable heart failure medications. It's only available as a brand medication and can be expensive.
What is Verquvo (vericiguat)?
What is Verquvo (vericiguat) used for?
- Chronic (long-lasting) heart failure
How Verquvo (vericiguat) works
Verquvo (vericiguat) is a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator. It turns on (stimulates) a protein in your body called sGC. This relaxes the blood vessels in the body and allows more blood to flow through. As a result, the heart is able to pump better and doesn't have to work as hard.
Drug facts
Side effects of Verquvo (vericiguat)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood pressure (16%)
- Low red blood cell count (anemia, 10%)
Verquvo (vericiguat) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Extremely low blood pressure: feeling like you're going to pass out, dizziness, cold and sweaty skin
The following Verquvo (vericiguat) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Low red blood cell level—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing
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Pros and cons of Verquvo (vericiguat)
Pros
- Helps you live longer with heart failure
- Can lessen hospitalizations for heart failure
- Can be crushed and mixed with water in people who have difficulty swallowing tablets
- Taken once a day
Cons
- Brand only, so can be expensive
- Not safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Can't be used in children
Pharmacist tips for Verquvo (vericiguat)
- Take Verquvo (vericiguat) with food for better absorption.
- Your healthcare provider might change your dose of Verquvo (vericiguat) to find the best dose for you and see how well you tolerate it.
- If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can crush Verquvo (vericiguat) tablets and mix with water right before taking your dose.
- Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you're taking any phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme (PDE-5) inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil (Viagra or Revatio), tadalafil (Cialis or Adcirca), vardenafil (Levitra)). Taking these medications with Verquvo (vericiguat) can cause your blood pressure to be too low. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness and fainting.
- If you're a woman of child-bearing age, make sure to use birth control while taking Verquvo (vericiguat) and for 1 month after stopping the medication. Verquvo (vericiguat) can cause harm to an unborn baby, so it's important to use birth control during treatment to prevent becoming pregnant. Contact your provider right away if you become pregnant or think you’re pregnant while taking this medication.
Common questions about Verquvo (vericiguat)
Verquvo (vericiguat) can be used for heart failure if you’ve had a recent hospitalization due to heart failure within the past 6 months. This medication can also be used if you've received heart failure medications like furosemide (Lasix) or bumetanide (Bumex) injected through your veins (intravenously, IV) within the past 3 months. Verquvo (vericiguat) can lower the risk of dying from heart complications and lessen the need to go to the hospital for heart failure. Talk to your provider to see if this medication is a good option for you.
Heart failure is when your heart isn't pumping as well as it should be, and works harder to pump blood through your body. Some symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing during normal activity, at rest, or while sleeping), cough or wheezing, weight gain or swelling in your legs or feet (edema), tiredness, and a racing heart. Let your provider know if you experience worsening of these symptoms while taking Verquvo (vericiguat).
Avoid breastfeeding while taking Verquvo (vericiguat) due to the risk of potential harm to your baby. There are no studies in humans to show the effects of this medication when breastfeeding. However, Verquvo (vericiguat) was found in the milk of rats in animal studies, so it's likely that this medication can be passed along in human milk. If you’re breastfeeding, talk to your provider about safer options.
Due to the risks of birth defects, women of child-bearing age must use birth control while taking Verquvo (vericiguat) and for 1 month after stopping the medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about forms of birth control that you can use to prevent pregnancy while taking this medication.
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Risks and warnings for Verquvo (vericiguat)
Verquvo (vericiguat) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn baby
- Risk factors: Currently pregnant | Woman with child-bearing potential
Verquvo (vericiguat) can cause serious birth defects. If you’re a woman with child-bearing potential and will be taking this medication, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to lower this risk. You'll need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting the medication. You’ll also need to use birth control while taking Verquvo (vericiguat) and for one month after stopping the medication. Tell your provider right away if you become pregnant or think you’re pregnant while taking Verquvo (vericiguat).
Verquvo (vericiguat) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5mg | 30 tablets | $688.23 | $22.94 |
| 5mg | 30 tablets | $672.24 | $22.41 |
| 10mg | 30 tablets | $672.17 | $22.41 |
Typical dosage for Verquvo (vericiguat)
The typical starting dose is 2.5 mg by mouth once daily with food. Your provider will raise your dose of Verquvo (vericiguat) every few weeks as tolerated, to reach a target dose of 10 mg by mouth once daily.
How much does Verquvo (vericiguat) cost?
$672.17
Verquvo (vericiguat) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Verquvo (vericiguat) will not be safe for you to take.
- Currently pregnant
- Also taking another sGC) stimulator: Adempas (riociguat) for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
What are alternatives to Verquvo (vericiguat)?
