The Food and Drug Administration is warning physicians and patients that taking varenicline for smoking cessation can change a patient’s reaction to alcohol and can cause stroke in patients without prior history.
Some patients who have drank alcohol while taking varenicline, marketed as Chantix, have reported decreased tolerance to alcohol, including symptoms such as increased drunkenness, unusual or aggressive behavior, or memory loss. Patients have also reported incidence of seizure within a month of starting varenicline, despite having no previous history of seizure.
“Until patients know how Chantix affects their ability to tolerate alcohol, they should decrease the amount of alcohol they drink. Patients who have a seizure while taking Chantix should stop the medicine and seek medical attention immediately,” the FDA recommended.
Find the full announcement on the FDA website.
