Verquvo is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator (sGC). Stimuating sGC, an enzyme involved in controlling heart muscle, results in smooth muscle relaxation and widening of blood vessels.

Verquvo is a prescription medicine used in adults who have been in hospital recently or need to receive intravenous (IV) medicines and have an ejection fraction (amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat) of less than 45 percent who have chronic heart failure. Verquvo lowers the risk of death or needing to be in the hospital.

Heart failure happens when your heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to your lungs and the rest of your body. It is not known if Verquvo is safe and effective in children.

You should not use Verquvo if you are also using riociguat.

Vericiguat can cause birth defects. Do not use if you are pregnant. Use effective birth control while taking Verquvo and for at least 1 month after your last dose. Do not have unprotected sex.

Use Verquvo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take with food.

If you cannot swallow a tablet whole, you may crush the tablet and mix it with water. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Usual Adult Dose for Heart Failure:

Initial dose: 2.5 mg orally once daily with food
Maintenance dose: Double the dose every 2 weeks to reach the maintenance target dose of 10 mg daily as tolerated.

Comments:
-Tablets may be crushed and mixed with water if the patient has difficulty swallowing.

Use: To reduce the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure (HF) hospitalization following a hospitalization for HF or need for outpatient IV diuretics, in adults with symptomatic chronic HF and ejection fraction less than 45%.

You should not use Verquvo if you are also using a similar medicine called riociguat.

Do not use Verquvo if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause birth defects. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 1 month after your treatment ends. Tell your doctor right away if you miss a menstrual period or think you may have become pregnant during treatment.

You will need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment.

You should not breastfeed while using Verquvo.

Take the missed dose on the same day you remember it. Take your next dose at the regular time and stay on your once-daily schedule. Do not use 2 doses in one day.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Verquvo: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet.

Common Verquvo side effects may include:

• anemia; or

• low blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• erectile dysfunction medicine such as sildenafil, tadalafil, Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, Stendra, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with vericiguat, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.