Chantix Starter Pack and alcohol

Varenicline may alter the way you react to alcohol. Some patients treated with varenicline have experienced decreased tolerance to alcohol, including increased drunkenness, unusual or aggressive behavior, or they had no memory of things that happened. You should limit the consumption of alcohol until you know whether varenicline affects your tolerance for alcohol. Also use caution driving or operating machinery until you know how quitting smoking and/or varenicline may affect you. If you develop nervousness, agitation, hostility, aggressive behavior, depression, thoughts of suicide, or have other changes in your behavior or thinking that are not typical for you, you should immediately stop taking varenicline and contact your doctor. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Varenicline may enhance the effects of alcohol as well as alter the way an individual reacts to alcohol. During postmarketing use, some patients have reported experiencing increased intoxicating effects of alcohol while taking varenicline. In addition, some reported cases of neuropsychiatric events, including unusual and sometimes aggressive behavior directed toward oneself or others, may have been worsened by concomitant use of alcohol. These events were often accompanied by amnesia.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be advised to limit their consumption of alcohol until they know whether varenicline affects their tolerance for alcohol, and to exercise caution driving or operating machinery until they know how quitting smoking and/or varenicline may affect them. Patients should immediately stop taking varenicline and contact their physician if they develop agitation, hostility, aggressive behavior, depressed mood, or changes in behavior or thinking that are not typical for them, or if they develop suicidal ideation or behavior.