Mechanism of action

VERQUVO® (vericiguat) employs a novel MOA for the treatment of HF, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation1

VERQUVO augments cGMP levels by addressing impaired NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, which is important in the pathophysiology of HF.

View Mechanism of Disease (MOD) Information

HF is associated with low NO bioavailability, decreased sGC activity, and reduced cGMP synthesis leading to vascular dysfunction and myocardial dysfunction

View Mechanism of Action (MOA) Information

VERQUVO directly stimulates sGC, independently of and synergistically with NO, to produce more cGMP leading to smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation which may improve cardiac function.

cGMP = cyclic guanosine monophosphate; HF = heart failure; MOA = mechanism of action; MOD= mechanism of disease; NO = nitric oxide; sGC = soluble guanylate cyclase

Reference:

  1. 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.

Indication

VERQUVO® (vericiguat) tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg is indicated 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%.

Selected Safety Information

WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

Females of reproductive potential: Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use effective forms of contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping treatment. Do not administer VERQUVO to a pregnant female because it may cause fetal harm.

  • VERQUVO is contraindicated in patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators.
  • VERQUVO is contraindicated in pregnancy.
  • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on data from animal reproduction studies, VERQUVO may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Obtain a pregnancy test before the start of treatment. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VERQUVO and for at least one month after the final dose.
  • In a clinical trial, the most commonly observed adverse events with VERQUVO vs placebo, occurring at a frequency ≥5%, were hypotension (16% vs 15%) and anemia (10% vs 7%).
  • Concomitant use of VERQUVO with PDE-5 inhibitors is not recommended due to the potential for hypotension.
  • There are no data on the presence of vericiguat in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from VERQUVO, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VERQUVO.

 

Before prescribing VERQUVO, please read the accompanying Prescribing information including the Boxed Warning about embryo-fetal toxicity. The Medication guide also is available.

Indication

VERQUVO® (vericiguat) tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg is indicated 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%.

VERQUVO® (vericiguat) tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg is indicated to reduce the risk

VERQUVO® (vericiguat) tablets 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg is indicated 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%.

Selected Safety Information

WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

Females of reproductive potential: Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use effective forms of contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping treatment. Do not administer VERQUVO to a pregnant female because it may cause fetal harm.

  • VERQUVO is contraindicated in patients with concomitant use of other soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators.
  • VERQUVO is contraindicated in pregnancy.
  • Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Based on data from animal reproduction studies, VERQUVO may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. Obtain a pregnancy test before the start of treatment. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VERQUVO and for at least one month after the final dose.
  • In a clinical trial, the most commonly observed adverse events with VERQUVO vs placebo, occurring at a frequency ≥5%, were hypotension (16% vs 15%) and anemia (10% vs 7%).
  • Concomitant use of VERQUVO with PDE-5 inhibitors is not recommended due to the potential for hypotension.
  • There are no data on the presence of vericiguat in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants from VERQUVO, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VERQUVO.

 

Before prescribing VERQUVO, please read the accompanying Prescribing information including the Boxed Warning about embryo-fetal toxicity. The Medication guide also is available.

WARNING: EMBRYO-FETAL TOXICITY

Females of reproductive potential: Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use effective forms of contraception during treatment

Females of reproductive potential: Exclude pregnancy before the start of treatment. To prevent pregnancy, females of reproductive potential must use effective forms of contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping treatment. Do not administer VERQUVO to a pregnant female because it may cause fetal harm.