Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Varenicline

“Also varenicline , an approved smoking cessation aid previously shown to decrease ethanol consumption and seeking in rats and mice, reduces ethanol intake at unbound brain concentrations that allow functional interactions with α3β4 nAChRs.”

“ Varenicline did not sustain alcohol abstinence or reduce the number of heavy drinking days, but it did reduce the daily amount of alcohol consumed.”

“Smokers treated with varenicline versus NRT were more likely to report reduced enjoyment of alcohol on TQD (20% vs. 10%, respectively, p < .001) and at 4 weeks post-TQD (20% vs. 6%, respectively, p = .014).”

“ Varenicline reduces enjoyment of smoking and cigarette consumption and may also reduce enjoyment and consumption of alcohol.”

“Conclusions: Varenicline can improve smoking outcomes even after an alcohol prime , supporting its use in heavy drinkers who wish to quit smoking.”

“Recent warnings regarding aversive events associated with varenicline used in conjunction with alcohol warrant further investigation into the safety of the drug when combined with alcohol.”

“Conclusions: Our findings suggest that varenicline decreases blood oxygen level dependent activation in striato-cortico-limbic regions associated with motivation and incentive salience of alcohol in heavy drinkers.”

“… varenicline (… ethanol consumption in rodents (Steensland et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104:12518–12523, 2007) and in human laboratory and open-label … a randomized, double-blind, 16-week study in heavy-drinking smokers (n = 64 randomized to treatment) who were seeking treatment for their smoking.”

“After alcohol drinking (vs. PL), VAR increased dysphoria and tended to reduce alcohol liking ratings.”

“The evidence suggests that VAR may decrease alcohol consumption by producing effects, which oppose the rewarding efficacy of alcohol.”

“ Varenicline , a partial nicotinic agonist with high affinity for the alpha4beta2 nAChR receptor, reduced ethanol intake in rodents.”

“In Phase 3, EtOH, naltrexone, and nicotine failed to alter EtOH consumption; however, varenicline decreased both EtOH and nicotine intake.”

“In contrast to previous results in P rats, varenicline reduced both EtOH and nicotine intake, indicating it may be a useful monotherapy for co-use in a genetically diverse population.”