Vericiguat is a cardiovascular agent that belongs to the class of medications called soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator. FDA approved this medication on January 20, 2021, for its medical use.

It is used to reduce the risk of death and the need for hospitalization in certain adults with heart failure. Heart failure occurs when your heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to your body. Common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, tiredness, or swelling caused by fluid build-up.

Always use this medicine as exactly prescribed by your doctor. Depending on the condition being treated, your physician decides the dose, dosage, and duration of the treatment. Take the tablet at the same time every day with food. If you cannot swallow the tablet, you can crush it and mix it with water. Take the mixture immediately. 

The common side effects of vericiguat are low blood pressure (hypotension) and anemia.

This drug is intended to cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Female patients with reproductive potential should not get pregnant during the treatment. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy, or planning to get pregnant. Use effective contraception during the treatment and for one month after the last dose.

Do not take Vericiguat if you are allergic to Vericiguat or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Inform your physician if you have low blood pressure with symptoms like dizziness or light-headedness, severe liver or kidney problems, and if you are on dialysis. This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting the treatment. 

Do not stop taking this medicine without informing your doctor because it may worsen your condition. If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, it may be crushed and mixed with after immediately before administration. Inform your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, vaccines, nutritional or vitamin supplements, and herbal products. Certain medications interact with Vericiguat and reduce their effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.

Store at 20 to 25°C. Protect the medicine from light and excessive moisture. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. If you forgot to take the tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for the next dose. Take a dose as soon as you remember.

If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Inform your doctor if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising. Your doctor may suggest taking certain tests to monitor the effectiveness and side effects of the therapy.

1. Verquvo 10 mg film-coated tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc). www.medicines.org.uk. [revised 2021] [cited 2023 Jun 3]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12775/pil
2. Merk&Co., Vericiguat film-coated tablets. Access.fda.gov. [revised 2021 Jan] [cited 2023 Jun 3]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/214377s000lbl.pdf
3. Armstrong PW, Pieske B, Anstrom KJ, Ezekowitz J, Hernandez AF, Butler J, et al. Vericiguat in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. New England Journal of Medicine. [Published 2020 May 14] [cited 2023 Jun 3];382(20):1883–93. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32222134/

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.