Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Verquvo
What is VERQUVO used for?
VERQUVO is used to treat chronic heart failure in adults:
- who have recently had an increase in heart failure symptoms like shortness of breath, swelling, or fatigue and
- who may have gone to the hospital and/or received a diuretic medicine given in a vein to help the body remove extra water or fluid.
VERQUVO is used with other heart failure medicines. VERQUVO is only prescribed by healthcare professionals who are experienced in treating heart failure.
How does VERQUVO work?
VERQUVO belongs to a class of medicines called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. It works by widening the arteries to make it easier for the heart to get more blood and oxygen throughout the body.
What are the ingredients in VERQUVO?
Medicinal ingredients: vericiguat
Non-medicinal ingredients: cellulose microcrystalline, croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide red (VERQUVO 5 mg film-coated tablet), ferric oxide yellow (VERQUVO 10 mg film-coated tablet), hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, sodium laurilsulfate, talc and titanium dioxide (E171).
VERQUVO comes in the following dosage forms:
Tablet (film-coated): 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg
Do not use VERQUVO if:
- you are taking other soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators, such as riociguat.
- you are allergic to vericiguat or any of the other ingredients in VERQUVO.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take VERQUVO. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have low blood pressure
- have severe liver problems
- have severe kidney problems or are on dialysis
- have a condition called hypovolemia (where your body loses fluid)
- have a condition called autonomic dysfunction (when there is damage to the nerves that control your regular body functions)
have one of the following rare hereditary diseases, because VERQUVO contains lactose:
- galactose intolerance
- Lapp lactase deficiency
- glucose-galactose malabsorption
are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed. You can take VERQUVO or breastfeed, but you should not do both. Talk with your healthcare professional to decide what is best for you.
Other warnings you should know about:
Driving and using machines: VERQUVO may cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy while taking this medicine, do not drive or use any machines.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with VERQUVO:
- Medicines known as PDE-5 inhibitors. These medicines are often used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs or erectile dysfunction, such as sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil.
How to take VERQUVO:
- Take VERQUVO exactly as your healthcare professional tells you to.
Take VERQUVO at the same time each day with food.
- Do not stop taking VERQUVO or change your dose without talking to your healthcare professional.
- If you are not able to swallow tablets, VERQUVO may be crushed and mixed with water immediately before taking.
Usual dose:
The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg once daily. Depending on your response, your healthcare professional may increase your dose every 2 weeks until you reach a maximum target dose of 10 mg once daily.
Serious Drug Interactions
Do not take VERQUVO if you:
- are taking medicines that contain another soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, such as riociguat which is used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much VERQUVO, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed dose:
Do not take 2 doses on the same day to make up for a missed dose. If you forget to take your dose and it is still the same day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is the next day, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. If you are not sure how to take VERQUVO, call your healthcare professional.
What are possible side effects from using VERQUVO?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking VERQUVO. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
The most common side effects of VERQUVO include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / Effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| VERY COMMON | |||
| Hypotension (low blood pressure): dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, blurred vision, feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, fatigue (may occur when you go from lying or sitting to standing up) | ✓ | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Anemia (decreased number of red blood cells): fatigue, loss of energy, irregular heartbeats, pale complexion, shortness of breath, weakness | ✓ | ||
| Syncope (fainting): a temporary loss of consciousness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure | ✓ |
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about VERQUVO:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website http://www.bayer.ca or by calling Bayer Medical Information at 1-800-265-7382 or emailing canada.medinfo@bayer.com.
Bayer Inc. 2920 Matheson Blvd East Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5R6 Canada |
Last Revised: April 27, 2023
© 2023, Bayer Inc.
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