Quitting smoking? FDA flags alcohol, seizure risks for Chantix users

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning smokers who are trying to quit that they may have trouble tolerating alcohol if they are taking Chantix.

Reports made to the FDA and to Chantix manufacturer Pfizer include cases of patients who became more inebriated than usual, were uncharacteristically aggressive and had blacked out after drinking.

"Until patients know how Chantix affects their ability to tolerate alcohol, they should decrease the amount of alcohol they drink," the FDA said in a statement issued this week.

The agency also said that there have been "rare accounts" of seizures in patients taking Chantix. Some of these patients had seizure disorders that were previously under control; others had no history of seizures.

Details about both of these side effects have been added to the Chantix drug label as "Warnings and Precautions."

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