Verquvo Interactions: Other Medications, Alcohol, and More
Verquvo (vericiguat) is prescribed to help reduce certain complications of heart failure that led to hospitalization or intravenous (IV) medications. This drug can interact with other medications, such as Adempas (riociguat) and Viagra (sildenafil).
Specifically, Verquvo is used in adults to reduce the risk of death and future hospitalizations from heart failure. People taking Verquvo must be described as having:
- heart failure that is long lasting (chronic)
- heart failure that is symptomatic (required hospitalization in the last 6 months or intravenous (IV) diuretic medications in the last 3 months)
- a reduced ejection fraction of less than 45%
The active ingredient in Verquvo is vericiguat. The drug comes as an oral tablet.
An interaction can occur because one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. Interactions also can occur if you have certain health conditions.
Keep reading to learn about Verquvo’s possible interactions. And for more information about Verquvo, including details about its uses, see this article.
Does Verquvo interact with other drugs?
Before you start taking Verquvo, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Verquvo interacts with herbs or vitamins and supplements, see the “Are there other interactions with Verquvo?” section.)
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The table below lists drugs that may interact with Verquvo. Keep in mind that this table does not include all drugs that may interact with Verquvo. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples | What can happen |
|---|---|---|
| phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors | • sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio) • tadalafil (Cialis, Adcirca) • vardenafil (Levitra) | can increase risk of low blood pressure |
| riociguat (Adempas) | — | can increase the magnitude and number of side effects of both Verquvo and Adempas |
When should I avoid Verquvo?
Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Verquvo. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Verquvo for you. These are known as contraindications. The list below includes contraindications of Verquvo.
If you’re pregnant: You should not take Verquvo if you’re pregnant. This is because Verquvo might cause fetal harm. Before starting Verquvo, your doctor will have you take a pregnancy test. If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will also recommend you use birth control during treatment. You should also continue using birth control for at least 1 month after stopping Verquvo.
If you take another drug that works similarly to Verquvo: Taking a medication that works similarly to Verquvo can increase the magnitude and number of side effects of both medications. Adempas (riociguat) is an example of a medication that works similarly to Verquvo. You should avoid using both medications together. For further details, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Verquvo or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Verquvo for you. This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better options for you.
Before you start taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. Your doctor can determine whether Verquvo is safe for you to take.
Does Verquvo interact with alcohol?
Verquvo isn’t known to interact with alcohol. But alcohol consumption can be a risk factor for heart disease. You may want to limit your alcohol consumption if you have heart disease.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Drug interactions explained
Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Verquvo.
Interaction with PDE5 inhibitors
Verquvo can interact with PDE5 inhibitors, which are used to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Examples of PDE5 inhibitor medications include:
What could happen
Taking Verquvo with PDE5 inhibitors can raise your risk of low blood pressure.
What you can do
Before you start taking Verquvo, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Your doctor is not likely to prescribe Verguvo if you take a PDE5 inhibitor. Taking these medications together carries a risk of low blood pressure.
If you have questions about taking Verquvo with PDE5 inhibitors, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Interaction with riociguat (Adempas)
Verquvo can interact with riociguat (Adempas), which is used to treat certain types of pulmonary hypertension.
What could happen
Both medications work similarly. So taking these drugs together can raise your risk of side effects from both medications. These can include low blood pressure and anemia.
What you can do
You should not take Verquvo and riociguat (Adempas) together. If you’re taking these medications together, talk with your doctor immediately. They’ll stop one of these medications and prescribe an alternative medication to manage your condition.
If you have any questions about taking Verquvo with riociguat (Adempas), talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there other interactions with Verquvo?
Verquvo may have other interactions. They could occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. See below for details. Note that the information below does not include all other interactions possible with Verquvo.
Does Verquvo interact with supplements?
Before you start taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs or vitamins and supplements you take. Sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Verquvo and herbs
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with herbs. But this doesn’t mean that interactions with herbs won’t be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Verquvo.
Verquvo and vitamins
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with vitamins. But this doesn’t mean that vitamin interactions won’t be recognized in the future.
For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking Verquvo.
Does Verquvo interact with food?
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with food. If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Verquvo, talk with your doctor.
Does Verquvo interact with vaccines?
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with vaccines. If you have questions about getting certain vaccines during your Verquvo treatment, talk with your doctor.
Does Verquvo interact with lab tests?
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with lab tests. You might have questions about having certain lab tests during your treatment with Verquvo. If so, talk with the healthcare professional ordering the test.
Does Verquvo interact with cannabis or CBD?
Verquvo currently has no reports of interacting with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis with Verquvo.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Does my health history affect whether I should take Verquvo?
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may interact with Verquvo. Before taking Verquvo, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Verquvo is right for you.
Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Verquvo include:
Pregnancy: Verquvo is not safe to take during pregnancy. Verquvo has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before taking Verquvo. For further details, see the “Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm” section above.
If you do take Verquvo while pregnant, consider enrolling in the drug’s pregnancy registry. This registry collects details about pregnancy issues reported with Verquvo. To learn more, call 877-888-4231 or talk with your doctor.
Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Verquvo while breastfeeding. Due to the possible risk of developing serious side effects, taking Verquvo while breastfeeding is not recommended. It’s not known whether the drug passes into breast milk. Similarly, it isn’t known whether the drug may cause side effects in a child who’s breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Verquvo or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Verquvo. This is because taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
How can I prevent interactions?
Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Verquvo. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:
- whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis
- other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs (they can also help you fill out a medication list)
- what to do if you start taking a new drug during your Verquvo treatment
It’s also important to understand Verquvo’s label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. Colored stickers that describe interactions may be on the label. And the paperwork (sometimes called the patient package insert or medication guide) may have other details about interactions. (If you did not get paperwork with Verquvo, ask your pharmacist to print a copy for you.)
If you have difficulty reading or understanding this information, your doctor or pharmacist can help.
Taking Verquvo exactly as prescribed also can help prevent interactions.
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.
What is Verquvo used for?
Verquvo is used to treat certain types of chronic heart failure in adults. It helps improve heart function and reduce the risk of hospitalization and death associated with heart disease.
Can Verquvo interact with other medications?
Yes, Verquvo can interact with other medications. It’s important to inform your healthcare provider about all the medications you are currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements. Some interactions might affect how Verquvo works or increase the risk of side effects.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Verquvo?
It’s generally advisable to avoid alcohol while taking Verquvo. Alcohol can exacerbate some of the side effects of Verquvo, such as dizziness or low blood pressure, and may also interfere with its effectiveness in treating heart failure.
How should I take Verquvo?
Verquvo should be taken exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It is usually taken once daily with food. It’s important not to change your dose or stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Verquvo?
If you miss a dose of Verquvo, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Are there any common side effects of Verquvo?
Yes, common side effects of Verquvo may include dizziness, low blood pressure, and headaches. If you experience any severe side effects or symptoms that do not go away, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
Can Verquvo be taken during pregnancy?
Verquvo may not be safe to take during pregnancy. It’s important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medication.
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This is a great summary of potential interactions with Verquvo! It’s really important to consider these factors when taking any medication. Thanks for highlighting the need to be aware of how other medications, alcohol, and lifestyle choices can impact its effectiveness and safety. Always good to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.