Verquvo (vericiguat) is a prescription drug used to prevent certain complications of heart failure. Verquvo can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include low blood pressure and anemia.

Verquvo has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Verquvo treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Verquvo. This includes:

In most cases, this side effect should be temporary. And may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Verquvo treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Verquvo may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Verquvo. These include:

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.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Verquvo, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Verquvo can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Verquvo treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Verquvo, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Verquvo’s side effects.

How do side effects of Verquvo compare with those seen with Entresto?

Verquvo and Entresto may have some side effects that are similar and others that are different. They are both used in adults to prevent certain complications of heart failure.

But doctors also prescribe Entresto to treat certain types of heart failure in children ages 1 year and older. Each medication also works differently for heart failure.

Both drugs can cause low blood pressure. But Entresto can also cause cough and kidney problems, which Verquvo isn’t known to cause.

To learn more about how the side effects of Verquvo and Entresto compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Verquvo cause shortness of breath?

It’s not likely. Shortness of breath wasn’t reported in studies of Verquvo. But Verquvo can cause anemia (low red blood cell levels) as a side effect. In some cases, shortness of breath is a symptom of anemia.

If you’re experiencing shortness of breath while taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor right away. They may order tests to check your blood cell levels.

Learn more about some of the side effects Verquvo may cause.

Risk of fetal harm

Verquvo has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Taking Verquvo while you’re pregnant can cause harm to your developing fetus. Due to this risk, doctors won’t prescribe Verquvo if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely order a pregnancy test before you start Verquvo. They’ll likely recommend that you take effective birth control during Verquvo treatment and for one month after your last dose.

What might help

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before you start Verquvo treatment. They can discuss other treatment options that are safer for you.

If you become pregnant while taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor right away. You may also consider enrolling in Verquvo’s pregnancy surveillance program. This program monitors the risks and side effects of the drug while taken during pregnancy. You may enroll in the program by calling 1-877-888-4231 or visiting the website.

Anemia

Anemia was a common side effect reported in studies of Verquvo. Anemia is when you have low red blood cell levels. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the organs and tissues of your body.

This helps them work effectively. If your red blood cell levels are low, your organs and tissues have a harder time getting oxygen. This may cause symptoms such as:

What might help

If you have symptoms of anemia during Verquvo treatment, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely recommend a test to check your red blood cell level. If your level is low, they can discuss potential treatment options with you.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Verquvo treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Verquvo affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Verquvo.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Verquvo has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section above.

Other warnings

Verquvo can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Verquvo is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Verquvo. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • take other similar medications, such as medications that belong to a class of drugs called soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators
  • previous allergic reaction to Verquvo
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.