Vericiguat
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Drug Status
Government Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
WHO Essential Medicine
NO
Known Teratogen
NO
Pharmaceutical Class
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator
Controlled Drug Substance
No
Vericiguat
Summary
Vericiguat is a medicine for adults with a weakened heart, specifically those with low ejection fraction who have recently been in the hospital for heart problems. It helps reduce the chance of dying or needing another hospital stay.
Vericiguat helps your blood vessels relax and widen by boosting a natural process in your body that makes your blood vessels more open. This improves blood flow and it works even if your body isn't producing enough of the usual substance that triggers this process.
Start with a low dose of 2.5mg of Vericiguat once a day with food. Every two weeks your doctor might increase the dose, doubling it until you reach 10mg once a day, as long as you can tolerate it. This medicine isn't for children.
The most common problems people have are low blood pressure and low red blood cell count, also known as anemia.
Vericiguat should not be taken if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant because it can harm your unborn baby. You'll need a pregnancy test before taking it and you should use birth control during and for a month after treatment.
Indications and Purpose
How does Vericiguat work?
Vericiguat helps your blood vessels relax and widen. It does this by boosting a natural process in your body that makes your blood vessels more open. This improves blood flow, and it works even if your body isn't producing enough of the usual substance that triggers this process.
Is Vericiguat effective?
Evidence for Vericiguat's effectiveness comes from clinical trials, notably the VICTORIA trial, which demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization compared to placebo. In this study, patients treated with Vericiguat experienced improved outcomes over a median follow-up of 10.8 months. The results showed that Vericiguat effectively reduces heart failure-related events, supporting its use in managing chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
What is Vericiguat?
Vericiguat is a medicine for adults with a weakened heart (low ejection fraction) who've recently been in the hospital for heart problems. It helps reduce the chance of dying or needing another hospital stay. You take it once a day with food. Most other medicines don't affect how it works, but stomach acid medications and kidney problems can change how your body processes it.
Directions for Use
For how long do I take Vericiguat?
The typical duration of use for Vericiguat can vary, but it is often prescribed for long-term management of heart failure. In clinical trials, patients were followed for an average of about 11 months, with some studies assessing treatment over 24 weeks. The medication is generally continued as long as it is effective and well-tolerated, with regular monitoring by healthcare providers to ensure optimal outcomes.
How do I take Vericiguat?
Take your Vericiguat pill once a day with a meal. If you need to, you can crush it and mix it with water right before you swallow it, but otherwise, swallow it whole.
How long does it take for Vericiguat to start working?
Vericiguat is a medicine that builds up to its full level in your blood over about six days. If you take it with food, it gets into your bloodstream faster and reaches its highest level about four hours after eating. If you take it on an empty stomach, it reaches its highest level in about an hour.
How should I store Vericiguat?
Keep Vericiguat at room temperature, ideally between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). It's okay if the temperature goes slightly higher or lower, between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C), but try to keep it within the ideal range. Make sure kids can't get to it.
What is the usual dose of Vericiguat?
Start with a low dose of 2.5mg of Verquvo once a day with food. Every two weeks, your doctor might increase the dose, doubling it, until you reach 10mg once a day, as long as you can tolerate it. This medicine isn't for children.
Warnings and Precautions
Can I take Vericiguat with other prescription drugs?
Vericiguat shouldn't be taken with other medicines that work similarly, because it could cause your blood pressure to drop too low and be dangerous. Also, it's not a good idea to take it with certain other heart medications (PDE-5 inhibitors) at the same time, as this combination could also cause dangerously low blood pressure.
Can Vericiguat be taken safely while breastfeeding?
If you're taking the medicine Vericiguat, don't breastfeed. We don't know if the medicine gets into breast milk, and it could seriously harm your baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to feed your baby.
Can Vericiguat be taken safely while pregnant?
Vericiguat is a medicine that can harm a developing baby. There's no information on how it affects pregnant women. If you're a woman who could get pregnant, you must use birth control while taking Vericiguat and for a month after you stop. You need a pregnancy test before starting treatment.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Vericiguat?
Combining alcohol with Vericiguat may increase the risk of dizziness or low blood pressure. It’s best to drink moderately and monitor for symptoms. Consult your doctor for personalized advice.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Vericiguat?
Exercise is generally safe but take precautions as Vericiguat can cause low blood pressure (16%), leading to dizziness. Start with light to moderate exercise, stay hydrated, and avoid sudden position changes. Consult your doctor before engaging in strenuous activities.
Is Vericiguat safe for the elderly?
Elderly patients can safely use Vericiguat without dosage adjustment, as studies show no major differences in safety or effectiveness. However, they may be more sensitive to side effects like low blood pressure or anemia, so careful monitoring is recommended.
Who should avoid taking Vericiguat?
Vericiguat is a medicine that shouldn't be taken if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant because it can harm your unborn baby. You'll need a pregnancy test before taking it, and you should use birth control during and for a month after treatment. The most common problems people have are low blood pressure and low red blood cell count (anemia).
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