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Taking varenicline with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

Varenicline does not usually have an effect on any other medicines. Check with your doctor before using varenicline with other stop smoking treatments.

However, when you stop smoking, with or without varenicline, your doctor may need to change your dose of medicines such as:

  • theophylline or aminophylline, medicines for breathing problems
  • erlotinib, a medicine to treat cancer
  • riociguat, a medicine to treat high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary arterial hypertension)
  • warfarin, a medicine to reduce blood clotting
  • insulin, to treat diabetes
  • olanzapine and clozapine, used to treat psychosis

Mixing varenicline with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with varenicline. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Important: Medicine safety

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Page last reviewed: 24 January 2025
Next review due: 24 January 2028