Chantix and Alcohol: Why Mixing Them Isn’t Safe
Key takeaways:
Chantix (varenicline) can help you quit smoking. But taking it with alcohol can cause harmful side effects.
Chantix and alcohol can result in a heightened feeling of intoxication, unusual and aggressive behaviors, and memory loss.
It’s best to avoid or limit drinking alcohol while taking Chantix. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having difficulty cutting back on alcohol.
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If you’re thinking about or have already started your journey to quitting smoking, you likely know there are different ways to quit. Chantix (varenicline) is one option. This prescription-only pill can help curb cravings and boost your chances of quitting for good.
If you’re taking or going to be taking Chantix, it’s important to know what to avoid when taking it. Drinking alcohol is one interaction to consider. It’s best to avoid or limit drinking while taking Chantix.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Chantix?
No, it’s best not to. In fact, the FDA released a safety announcement in March 2015 to warn about the risks of combining Chantix and alcohol. Chantix can change the way your body would normally react to alcohol. This can lead to serious side effects and behavior changes.
Why should you avoid alcohol while taking Chantix?
Chantix can affect how your body processes and reacts to alcohol.
For some people, Chantix heightens the effects of alcohol in the body. This can cause you to feel more “drunk” than you typically would. But for others, mixing Chantix and alcohol can cause unusual or aggressive behavior changes. Amnesia (not remembering what you’ve done) is also possible with this combination.
Is having one or two drinks OK?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer about whether a small amount or the occasional drink is OK while taking Chantix. Not everyone reacts to the combination of Chantix and alcohol the same.
While avoiding alcohol would be best, it may not be realistic. But you should at least reduce the amount of alcohol you’d typically drink. This is especially important when you first start Chantix. Once you know how the medication affects you, an occasional drink may be OK.
Speak with your healthcare provider about whether any amount of alcohol would be safe for you while taking Chantix.
Are certain people more at risk when combining Chantix and alcohol?
There aren’t certain people that have more risks with Chantix and alcohol specifically. But there are groups that have greater risks with alcohol in general, such as older adults and women. They typically have a lower alcohol tolerance than others. And they may feel the effects of an alcohol-medication interaction sooner or more intensely.
Adults ages 60 and older tend to be more sensitive to alcohol than younger adults. Their bodies also take longer to break down and clear alcohol from the body. This means that alcohol may be available to interact with medications for longer.
Women are another group with greater alcohol-related risks. Women’s bodies absorb alcohol more quickly than men. Their bodies also generally take longer to break down alcohol. This means that women often have higher blood alcohol levels than men — even when they drink the same amount. This can make alcohol-medication interactions more severe.
What are the other side effects of Chantix?
As with all medications, Chantix has some side effects that you should be aware of:
Nausea
Vomiting
Trouble sleeping
Sleepwalking
Abnormal or vivid dreams
Constipation
Gas
Stomach pain
Usually, you’ll start with a lower dose of Chantix and raise your dose over time. This gives your body more time to adjust and helps minimize these side effects. Mild side effects can often be managed at home. But more serious complications are also possible. These may include:
Mood changes
Suicidal thoughts
Serious skin reactions
Seizures
If you experience a serious Chantix side effect, seek medical help. But if mild side effects become bothersome or are affecting your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider. There are alternative treatment options that can help you stop smoking.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
The bottom line
Chantix (varenicline) is a prescription pill that can help people quit smoking. While it can be effective, it interacts with alcohol. It’s best to hold off on drinking when starting Chantix until you know how it affects you. Combining Chantix and alcohol can make you feel more intoxicated than usual. It can also lead to amnesia or unusual and aggressive behaviors. Speak with your healthcare provider about your unique risks with this interaction.
Why trust our experts?
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Excessive alcohol use is a risk to women’s health.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (n.d.). Alcohol's effects on health.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). FDA drug safety communication: FDA updates label for stop smoking drug chantix (varenicline) to include potential alcohol interaction, rare risk of seizures, and studies of side effects on mood, behavior, or thinking.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2023). Varenicline- varenicline tablet, film coated [package insert].
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