Verquvo: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
A soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction following a recent decompensation event
Verquvo (vericiguat) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure who have recently experienced worsening of their condition. It belongs to a class of drugs called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators, which work by enhancing the nitric oxide signaling pathway to improve cardiovascular function. Verquvo is taken once daily with food and is used in addition to standard heart failure therapy. The landmark VICTORIA trial demonstrated that vericiguat significantly reduced the composite endpoint of cardiovascular death or first heart failure hospitalization in patients with worsening chronic heart failure. Verquvo is manufactured by Bayer AG and is approved by the EMA, FDA, and regulatory authorities in numerous countries worldwide.
Quick Facts: Verquvo
Key Takeaways
- Verquvo (vericiguat) is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator specifically designed for patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction who have recently experienced worsening symptoms, such as hospitalization or the need for intravenous diuretics.
- The medication is taken once daily with food and is gradually uptitrated from a starting dose of 2.5 mg to the target dose of 10 mg over approximately 4 weeks, based on tolerability and blood pressure response.
- The VICTORIA trial demonstrated that vericiguat reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or first heart failure hospitalization by approximately 10% compared with placebo when added to standard guideline-directed medical therapy.
- Verquvo must not be combined with other sGC stimulators such as riociguat, and concomitant use with PDE5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) is not recommended due to an increased risk of hypotension.
- The most common side effect is hypotension (low blood pressure), and the medication should not be used during pregnancy; women of childbearing potential should use reliable contraception during treatment.
What Is Verquvo and What Is It Used For?
Verquvo contains the active substance vericiguat, which belongs to a class of cardiovascular medications known as soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. This relatively new class of drugs targets a fundamental pathway in cardiovascular regulation — the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-sGC-cGMP) pathway. In heart failure, this pathway becomes dysfunctional due to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, leading to impaired vasodilation, increased cardiac workload, and progressive myocardial damage.
Vericiguat works by directly stimulating sGC in two complementary ways: it enhances the enzyme's sensitivity to endogenous nitric oxide (NO), and it can also activate sGC independently of NO. This dual mechanism results in increased production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a second messenger molecule that triggers a cascade of beneficial effects including smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation, reduced blood pressure, decreased cardiac preload and afterload, and improved myocardial function. By restoring the impaired NO-sGC-cGMP signaling that characterizes heart failure, vericiguat addresses a key pathophysiological mechanism that is not adequately targeted by other existing heart failure therapies.
Verquvo is specifically indicated for the treatment of adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure who have recently experienced worsening of their condition. This means the medication is intended for patients who have a history of heart failure and have had a recent decompensation event — typically defined as a heart failure hospitalization or the need for intravenous diuretic therapy without hospitalization. The drug is added to existing guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT), which typically includes angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs).
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. It affects an estimated 64 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of hospitalization and death, particularly in the elderly. Common symptoms include shortness of breath (dyspnea) at rest or during exertion, fatigue, weakness, and swelling (edema) in the legs, ankles, and feet due to fluid retention. Despite significant advances in pharmacotherapy over the past decades, heart failure remains associated with high morbidity and mortality, and patients who experience worsening events (such as hospitalization) are at particularly elevated risk of subsequent adverse outcomes.
The approval of Verquvo was based primarily on the results of the landmark VICTORIA (Vericiguat Global Study in Subjects with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) trial, a large, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III study involving over 5,000 patients across 42 countries. The VICTORIA trial enrolled patients with chronic heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 45% who had experienced a recent worsening heart failure event. Results demonstrated that vericiguat, when added to standard heart failure therapy, significantly reduced the composite primary endpoint of cardiovascular death or first heart failure hospitalization compared with placebo (35.5% vs. 38.5%; hazard ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.98, p=0.02). This represented an approximately 10% relative risk reduction, establishing vericiguat as a meaningful addition to the heart failure treatment armamentarium.
Verquvo represents the first approved medication targeting the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway specifically for heart failure. While existing heart failure therapies primarily target neurohormonal activation (the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and sympathetic nervous system), vericiguat addresses a complementary mechanism of disease, offering additional benefit on top of optimized standard therapy. This makes it a valuable addition for patients who continue to experience worsening despite treatment with ACE inhibitors/ARBs/ARNI, beta-blockers, and MRAs.
What Should You Know Before Taking Verquvo?
Before starting treatment with Verquvo, it is essential that your healthcare provider has a comprehensive understanding of your medical history, current medications, and overall health status. Certain conditions and drug combinations can make Verquvo unsafe or require special monitoring. The following sections outline the key considerations that should be addressed before beginning therapy.
Contraindications
Verquvo must not be taken in the following situations:
- Allergy to vericiguat or any excipient: If you have a known hypersensitivity to vericiguat or any of the other ingredients in Verquvo tablets (including lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellos, magnesium stearate, or sodium lauryl sulfate), you must not take this medication.
- Concurrent use of other sGC stimulators: Verquvo must not be taken at the same time as any other medication that contains a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator, such as riociguat (used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension). The combination could lead to dangerously low blood pressure and other serious cardiovascular effects.
Never combine Verquvo with riociguat or any other sGC stimulator. This combination can cause severe, life-threatening hypotension. If you are currently taking riociguat for pulmonary hypertension, you must inform your doctor before starting Verquvo.
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Verquvo if you have any of the following conditions:
- Low blood pressure with symptoms: If you have symptomatic hypotension (low blood pressure causing dizziness, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness), your doctor will need to carefully evaluate whether Verquvo is appropriate for you. Since hypotension is the most common side effect of vericiguat, patients who already have low blood pressure may be at increased risk. Your doctor may choose to start you at the lowest available dose (2.5 mg) and monitor your blood pressure closely during dose titration.
- Severe kidney problems or dialysis: Verquvo has not been extensively studied in patients with severe renal impairment (estimated glomerular filtration rate below 15 mL/min/1.73 m²) or those receiving dialysis. If you have severe kidney disease, your doctor will carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks before prescribing Verquvo. The VICTORIA trial included patients with moderate renal impairment, but those with the most severe forms of kidney disease were generally excluded.
- Severe liver problems: Verquvo has not been studied in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C). Since vericiguat is metabolized in the liver, severe liver disease could affect drug metabolism and increase the risk of adverse effects. Your doctor should assess your liver function before starting treatment.
Children and Adolescents
Verquvo should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age. The safety and efficacy of vericiguat have not been established in this age group, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction requiring sGC stimulation is predominantly an adult condition. No clinical trials have been conducted in pediatric populations for this indication.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy: Vericiguat should not be used during pregnancy because it is currently unknown whether the medication can cause harm to the unborn baby. Animal reproductive toxicity studies have not demonstrated clear teratogenic effects, but the lack of adequate human data means that a potential risk cannot be excluded. If you are a woman of childbearing potential, you should discuss reliable methods of contraception with your healthcare provider before starting treatment with Verquvo. If you become pregnant while taking Verquvo, contact your doctor immediately to discuss the appropriate course of action.
Breastfeeding: It is not known whether vericiguat or its metabolites pass into human breast milk. A risk to the breastfed infant cannot be excluded. Your doctor will help you decide whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue Verquvo treatment, taking into account the benefit of breastfeeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the mother.
Driving and Operating Machinery
If you experience dizziness during treatment with Verquvo, you should not drive, cycle, or operate any machinery. Dizziness is a common side effect of vericiguat and can impair your ability to perform tasks that require alertness and coordination. This is particularly important during the dose titration phase when the risk of hypotension-related dizziness may be highest.
Important Information About Excipients
Lactose: Verquvo tablets contain lactose monohydrate. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Sodium: This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per dose, meaning it is essentially sodium-free. This is important information for patients on a controlled sodium diet due to heart failure or other conditions.
How Does Verquvo Interact with Other Drugs?
Drug interactions can significantly affect the safety and efficacy of Verquvo. Because vericiguat acts on the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, medications that also influence this pathway or lower blood pressure can potentially interact with Verquvo in clinically meaningful ways. It is crucial to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are currently taking, have recently taken, or might take in the future.
Major Interactions
The following drug interactions are considered major and require strict avoidance or careful medical supervision:
| Drug / Class | Interaction Type | Clinical Significance | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riociguat (Adempas) | sGC stimulator – same mechanism | Risk of severe hypotension and cardiovascular collapse | Contraindicated – never combine |
| Sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio) | PDE5 inhibitor – increases cGMP | Additive vasodilation and hypotension | Not recommended |
| Tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca) | PDE5 inhibitor – increases cGMP | Additive vasodilation and hypotension | Not recommended |
| Vardenafil (Levitra) | PDE5 inhibitor – increases cGMP | Additive vasodilation and hypotension | Not recommended |
Minor Interactions
The following interactions are generally manageable but require awareness and potential dose adjustments:
| Drug / Class | Interaction Type | Clinical Significance | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrates (isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin) | NO donors – enhance NO-sGC pathway | Increased risk of hypotension | Use with caution; monitor blood pressure |
| Antihypertensives (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers) | Additive blood pressure lowering | Increased risk of symptomatic hypotension | Monitor blood pressure; standard HF therapy is safe |
| Antacids (aluminum/magnesium hydroxide) | Reduced absorption of vericiguat | Potentially reduced efficacy | Separate administration by at least 2 hours |
Importantly, vericiguat has been studied in combination with the standard heart failure medications that most patients will be taking. In the VICTORIA trial, the majority of patients were receiving background therapy with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan), beta-blockers, diuretics, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Vericiguat was shown to be safe and effective when added to these therapies. The pharmacokinetic profile of vericiguat suggests a low potential for drug-drug interactions mediated through cytochrome P450 enzymes, as its primary metabolic pathway involves glucuronidation by UGT1A9 and UGT1A1.
If you are using PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil — whether for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension — you should inform your doctor before starting Verquvo. Both drug classes increase cGMP levels through complementary mechanisms, and their combination can lead to excessive vasodilation and potentially dangerous drops in blood pressure.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Verquvo?
Always take Verquvo exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The dosing strategy for Verquvo involves a careful, stepwise uptitration to reach the target maintenance dose while monitoring for tolerability, particularly with regard to blood pressure.
Adults
Standard Starting Dose
The recommended starting dose is one 5 mg tablet once daily for patients who have not experienced low blood pressure in the preceding 4 weeks. Your doctor will then assess your tolerability and typically increase the dose after approximately 2 weeks to the target dose of one 10 mg tablet once daily.
Low Blood Pressure Starting Dose
If you have had low blood pressure (systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg) within the past 4 weeks, the recommended starting dose is one 2.5 mg tablet once daily. Your doctor will then uptitrate the dose gradually: after approximately 2 weeks to 5 mg once daily, and after a further 2 weeks to the target dose of 10 mg once daily, as tolerated.
| Phase | Dose | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting dose (standard) | 5 mg once daily | ~2 weeks | For patients without recent hypotension |
| Starting dose (low BP) | 2.5 mg once daily | ~2 weeks | If SBP <100 mmHg within past 4 weeks |
| Intermediate dose | 5 mg once daily | ~2 weeks | Only for patients starting at 2.5 mg |
| Target maintenance dose | 10 mg once daily | Ongoing | Maximum recommended dose |
Take one tablet at the same time each day together with food. Taking Verquvo with food significantly improves the absorption of vericiguat (bioavailability increases to approximately 93% when taken with food compared with lower absorption in the fasted state). If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may crush it and mix it with water. This mixture should be taken immediately after preparation.
If you develop low blood pressure during treatment with Verquvo, you may feel dizzy and unsteady. In this case, your doctor may temporarily reduce your Verquvo dose or interrupt treatment until your blood pressure stabilizes. Once your blood pressure has improved, your doctor may attempt to re-uptitrate the dose.
Children
Verquvo is not approved for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. No dosage recommendations can be made for this age group.
Elderly
No dose adjustment is required for elderly patients based on age alone. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to the blood pressure-lowering effects of vericiguat, and careful monitoring during dose titration is advised. In the VICTORIA trial, the median age of participants was 67 years, and a substantial proportion of patients were elderly, confirming the applicability of the dosing regimen to this population.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Verquvo, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember on the same day the dose was missed. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. If you do not remember until the next day, simply skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Maintaining a consistent daily dosing schedule is important for optimal therapeutic effect.
Overdose
If you take more Verquvo than you should, contact your doctor immediately. The most likely effect of an overdose is a significant drop in blood pressure (hypotension), which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, fainting, and in severe cases, cardiovascular collapse. There is no specific antidote for vericiguat overdose. Treatment would involve supportive measures, including blood pressure monitoring, intravenous fluid administration, and vasopressor support if necessary. Vericiguat is highly protein-bound and is unlikely to be effectively removed by hemodialysis.
Do not stop taking Verquvo without first consulting your doctor. Abrupt discontinuation of heart failure medications can lead to a worsening of your condition. If you need to stop treatment for any reason, your doctor will advise you on the safest way to do so.
What Are the Side Effects of Verquvo?
Like all medicines, Verquvo can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The side effects associated with vericiguat are generally related to its pharmacological mechanism of action — specifically, the vasodilatory and blood pressure-lowering effects that result from enhanced cGMP signaling. Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity and are manageable with dose adjustment or temporary interruption of therapy.
In the VICTORIA trial, the overall incidence of adverse events was similar between the vericiguat and placebo groups, suggesting a favorable safety profile when the medication is used as directed. The following side effects have been reported during clinical trials and post-marketing experience:
Very Common
May affect more than 1 in 10 patients
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) – The most frequently reported adverse effect. May cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint, particularly during the dose titration phase. In the VICTORIA trial, symptomatic hypotension occurred in approximately 9.1% of vericiguat-treated patients compared with 7.9% in the placebo group.
Common
May affect up to 1 in 10 patients
- Anemia (low red blood cell count) – May cause pale skin, weakness, fatigue, or shortness of breath. Your doctor may monitor your blood counts during treatment. In the VICTORIA trial, anemia was reported in 7.6% of vericiguat-treated patients compared with 5.7% receiving placebo.
- Dizziness – Often related to the blood pressure-lowering effect of the medication. More common during the dose uptitration phase.
- Headache – Related to the vasodilatory properties of vericiguat. Usually mild and tends to diminish over time.
- Nausea – Gastrointestinal discomfort that usually resolves with continued use.
- Vomiting – Less frequent than nausea; contact your doctor if persistent.
- Dyspepsia (indigestion) – Discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, or feeling uncomfortably full.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn) – A burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.
The side effect profile of vericiguat is generally consistent with what would be expected from a vasodilatory agent used in the heart failure population. The VICTORIA trial's safety data showed that serious adverse events leading to permanent discontinuation of the study drug occurred in a similar proportion of patients in the vericiguat and placebo groups, indicating that the medication is generally well tolerated.
If you experience symptoms of low blood pressure such as persistent dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling faint, contact your doctor. Your doctor may temporarily reduce your dose or pause treatment. In many cases, these symptoms improve with continued therapy as your body adjusts to the medication, or they can be managed through dose adjustment.
It is important to report suspected side effects after a medication has been authorized, as this allows ongoing monitoring of the drug's benefit-risk balance. Healthcare professionals and patients can report suspected adverse reactions to their national regulatory authority (e.g., FDA MedWatch in the US, Yellow Card Scheme in the UK, or the relevant national medicines agency).
How Should You Store Verquvo?
Proper storage of medications is essential to maintain their effectiveness and safety. Follow these guidelines for storing Verquvo:
- Keep out of sight and reach of children. Store Verquvo in a safe location where children cannot access it. Accidental ingestion by children could cause serious adverse effects, particularly dangerous drops in blood pressure.
- Check the expiry date. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and on each blister or bottle after "EXP." The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Using expired medication may result in reduced efficacy or unpredictable effects.
- No special storage conditions required. Verquvo film-coated tablets do not require any specific temperature or humidity-controlled storage conditions. They can be stored at room temperature.
- Proper disposal. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures help to protect the environment and prevent accidental exposure.
If you have been prescribed Verquvo and have tablets remaining after your treatment has been completed or changed, return the unused tablets to your pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not keep medications “just in case” as this increases the risk of accidental ingestion and environmental contamination.
What Does Verquvo Contain?
Understanding the composition of your medication can be important, particularly if you have known allergies or intolerances to specific ingredients. Verquvo film-coated tablets contain both an active pharmaceutical ingredient and several inactive excipients that serve structural and functional roles in the tablet formulation.
Active Ingredient
Each Verquvo film-coated tablet contains one of the following strengths of the active substance vericiguat:
- 2.5 mg vericiguat – white, round, biconvex tablets (7 mm diameter) marked with "2.5" on one side and "VC" on the other
- 5 mg vericiguat – brownish-red, round, biconvex tablets (7 mm diameter) marked with "5" on one side and "VC" on the other
- 10 mg vericiguat – yellow-orange, round, biconvex tablets (9 mm diameter) marked with "10" on one side and "VC" on the other
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
The inactive ingredients in Verquvo tablets serve various purposes in the tablet formulation:
Tablet core: Microcrystalline cellulose (filler/binder), croscarmellose sodium (disintegrant), hypromellos 2910 (binder), lactose monohydrate (filler), magnesium stearate (lubricant), sodium lauryl sulfate (wetting agent).
Film coating: Hypromellos 2910 (film-forming agent), talc (anti-tacking agent), titanium dioxide E171 (white colorant, all strengths), red iron oxide E172 (colorant, 5 mg tablets only), yellow iron oxide E172 (colorant, 10 mg tablets only).
Available Pack Sizes
Verquvo is available in the following pack sizes:
- Blisters in cartons of 14, 28, or 98 film-coated tablets
- Perforated unit-dose blisters in cartons of 10 × 1 or 100 × 1 film-coated tablets
- Bottles containing 100 film-coated tablets
Not all pack sizes may be marketed in all countries. The different tablet colors (white for 2.5 mg, brownish-red for 5 mg, and yellow-orange for 10 mg) are designed to help patients and healthcare providers easily distinguish between the three available strengths, reducing the risk of dosing errors during the uptitration phase.
Frequently Asked Questions About Verquvo
Verquvo (vericiguat) works through a unique mechanism that is different from all other approved heart failure therapies. While traditional medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, ARNI (sacubitril/valsartan), beta-blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists target the neurohormonal activation that drives heart failure progression, Verquvo targets the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway. This pathway is responsible for vasodilation, reduced cardiac workload, and improved myocardial function. In heart failure, this pathway becomes impaired due to reduced nitric oxide bioavailability and oxidative stress. By directly stimulating soluble guanylate cyclase, vericiguat restores this pathway and provides complementary benefit on top of standard therapy. It is the first and currently only sGC stimulator approved specifically for heart failure.
Yes, Verquvo can be taken together with sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto). In the VICTORIA trial, approximately 15% of patients were receiving sacubitril/valsartan as background therapy, and vericiguat was shown to be safe and effective in this subgroup. Both medications work through different mechanisms: sacubitril/valsartan combines neprilysin inhibition with angiotensin receptor blockade, while vericiguat stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase. The combination may provide additive cardiovascular benefit. However, since both medications can lower blood pressure, your doctor will monitor your blood pressure carefully, particularly during the dose titration phase of Verquvo.
Verquvo should be taken with food because food significantly increases the absorption and bioavailability of vericiguat. When taken with a meal, the bioavailability of vericiguat increases to approximately 93%, compared with lower and more variable absorption when taken on an empty stomach. Food also reduces the variability in drug absorption between individuals. This consistent absorption is important for maintaining stable blood levels of the medication and ensuring optimal therapeutic effect. Taking Verquvo at the same time each day with a meal helps establish a routine and maximizes the medication's benefit.
Dizziness is a common side effect of Verquvo and is usually related to its blood pressure-lowering effect. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down immediately until the symptoms pass. Avoid standing up quickly from a seated or lying position. Stay well hydrated by drinking adequate fluids (unless your doctor has restricted your fluid intake). Do not drive, cycle, or operate machinery while feeling dizzy. If dizziness persists or is severe, contact your doctor, who may temporarily reduce your Verquvo dose or pause treatment until your blood pressure stabilizes. This is particularly common during the dose uptitration phase and often improves as your body adjusts to the medication.
Verquvo is intended for long-term, ongoing treatment of chronic heart failure. There is no predetermined duration of therapy. As long as you are tolerating the medication well and your doctor considers it beneficial for your condition, treatment should continue indefinitely. Heart failure is a chronic, progressive disease, and the medications used to manage it — including Verquvo — are typically taken for life to maintain their protective cardiovascular effects. Do not stop taking Verquvo without consulting your doctor, as abrupt discontinuation could lead to a worsening of your heart failure symptoms. If your doctor decides to stop the medication, they will advise you on the safest approach.
Yes, if you cannot swallow Verquvo tablets whole, you can crush them and mix them with water. Take this mixture immediately after preparation — do not store crushed tablets for later use. This option is particularly helpful for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills (dysphagia), which is not uncommon in elderly heart failure patients. The crushed tablet retains the same efficacy as the whole tablet when taken with food and water. If you have persistent swallowing difficulties, discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist for additional guidance.
References
- Armstrong PW, Pieske B, Anstrom KJ, et al. Vericiguat in Patients with Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(20):1883-1893. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1915928
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Verquvo (vericiguat) – Summary of Product Characteristics. Last updated 2025. Available from: EMA EPAR Verquvo
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Verquvo (vericiguat) – Prescribing Information. Revised 2024.
- McDonagh TA, Metra M, Adamo M, et al. 2023 Focused Update of the 2021 ESC Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure. Eur Heart J. 2023;44(37):3627-3639. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad195
- Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation. 2022;145(18):e895-e1032. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- Ezekowitz JA, O'Connor CM, Troughton RW, et al. N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Clinical Outcomes: Vericiguat Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction Study. JACC Heart Fail. 2020;8(11):931-939.
- Pieske B, Patel MJ, Engelen-Lehr M, et al. Vericiguat in patients with worsening chronic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: results of the SOluble guanylate Cyclase stimulatoR in heArT failurE patientS with PRESERVED EF (SOCRATES-PRESERVED) study. Eur Heart J. 2017;38(15):1119-1127.
- World Health Organization (WHO). Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Fact sheet. 2023.
- British National Formulary (BNF). Vericiguat. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 2025.
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