Verquvo (vericiguat) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed to help prevent complications from heart failure. As with other drugs, Verquvo can cause side effects. These include low blood pressure and anemia.
Verquvo can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Verquvo in its clinical trial:
- low blood pressure*
- mild to severe anemia*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Verquvo. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Verquvo’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Verquvo include:
- mild anemia*
- low blood pressure*
- mild allergic reaction†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Verquvo and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Verquvo. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s clinical trial. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Verquvo may cause serious side effects. However, serious side effects from Verquvo weren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Verquvo’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Verquvo, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported include:
- severe anemia*
- risk of fetal harm†
- severe allergic reaction‡
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Verquvo has a
‡ An allergic reaction is possible after taking Verquvo. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s clinical trial. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Verquvo may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
How do side effects of Verquvo compare with those of Entresto?
Verquvo and Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan) are both medications that may be prescribed to treat heart failure. However, the drugs work differently to treat this condition. Due to this, Verquvo and Entresto may have some side effects that are similar and others that are different.
For example, Verquvo and Entresto may both cause low blood pressure. However, Verquvo can also cause anemia, which Entresto isn’t known to cause.
In addition, Entresto can cause side effects that Verquvo isn’t expected to cause. These include cough, high potassium, and kidney problems.
If you have heart failure, talk with your doctor to find out which medication may be best for you.
Is Verquvo safe for older adults?
Yes, Verquvo is safe for older adults (ages 65 years and over) to take. In the drug’s clinical trial, 63% of participants were ages 65 years or older. There was no reported difference in the drug’s safety or effectiveness when taken by older adults.
However, older adults may be more likely to have a preexisting medical condition, such as a liver or kidney problem. These conditions could cause Verquvo to build up in the body, increasing the risk of side effects. For this reason, older adults may have a higher risk of developing side effects from Verquvo.
If you’re an older adult and you have concerns about your risk of side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Verquvo may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in Verquvo’s clinical trial, see the prescribing information for Verquvo.
Anemia
It’s possible for Verquvo to cause mild or severe anemia (low red blood cell level). This was a common side effect that people taking Verquvo reported in the drug’s clinical trial.
Symptoms of anemia may include:
- headache
- weakness
- numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- pale-looking skin
- sore tongue
What you can do
If you develop symptoms of anemia during your treatment with Verquvo, talk with your doctor. They may recommend testing your red blood cell level to determine whether it is low. If you do develop anemia, your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Low blood pressure
It’s possible to develop low blood pressure during treatment with Verquvo. In fact, this was a commonly reported side effect in the drug’s clinical trial.
Symptoms of low blood pressure may include:
What you can do
If you develop symptoms of low blood pressure during your treatment with Verquvo, talk with your doctor. They can check your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too low, your doctor can recommend ways to manage this side effect. They can also show you how to check your blood pressure at home.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Verquvo can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s clinical trial.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Verquvo. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Talk with your doctor about any medical conditions that you have before taking Verquvo. They can make sure that Verquvo is safe for you.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
This drug has a
It’s possible for Verquvo to cause harm to a developing fetus. If you can become pregnant, your doctor will typically have you take a pregnancy test before you start Verquvo treatment. They’ll also likely recommend using birth control during treatment and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
If you do become pregnant while taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor. If you and your doctor agree to continue Verquvo treatment during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the drug’s pregnancy registry. The purpose of a pregnancy registry is to monitor the risks and side effects of a drug that’s taken during pregnancy. Your doctor can enroll you in the pregnancy registry by calling 877-888-4231 or visiting the program website.
If you have questions about the risk of fetal harm from taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor.
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Verquvo. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Certain other medications. Before you start taking Verquvo, tell your doctor about any other medications that you take. Verquvo belongs to a class of drugs called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. If you take Verquvo with another sGC stimulator, you may have a higher risk of side effects from either drug. This is because drugs in this class work in similar ways and may cause similar side effects. Your doctor will determine whether Verquvo is safe to take in combination with any of your existing medications.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Verquvo or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Verquvo. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Verquvo has a
Before you start treatment with Verquvo, be sure to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either. They can let you know about other treatment options for your condition.
Alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, Verquvo is likely safe for you to take. There aren’t any known interactions between Verquvo and alcohol. However, if you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor.
If you’d like to learn more about Verquvo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Verquvo. For details about other aspects of Verquvo, refer to this article.
- Dosage. For information about the dosage of Verquvo, view this article.
- A look at heart failure. For details about heart failure, see our cardiovascular health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.