Drug interactions
Ibuprofen / famotidine + Varenicline
Severity: Minor
Ibuprofen / famotidine and Varenicline: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Varenicline is mainly eliminated unchanged by the kidney, partly by tubular secretion through OCT2. Famotidine is renally secreted but no meaningful rise in varenicline exposure is established, and ibuprofen is not a known inhibitor.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibuprofen / famotidine and Varenicline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Possible competition for renal tubular secretion, not well established.
What to do
No dose change is needed in patients with normal renal function. Monitor for nausea and sleep disturbance in those with renal impairment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Varenicline
- Ethanol + Varenicline Moderate
- Tafenoquine + Varenicline Moderate
- Trilaciclib + Varenicline Moderate
- Cimetidine + Varenicline Minor
- Erdafitinib + Varenicline Minor
- Nicotine inhaled + Varenicline Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibuprofen / famotidine with Varenicline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Ibuprofen / famotidine and Varenicline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Varenicline is mainly eliminated unchanged by the kidney, partly by tubular secretion through OCT2. Famotidine is renally secreted but no meaningful rise in varenicline exposure is established, and ibuprofen is not a known inhibitor.
How serious is the interaction between Ibuprofen / famotidine and Varenicline?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No dose change is needed in patients with normal renal function. Monitor for nausea and sleep disturbance in those with renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Varenicline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Varenicline with, for example, Ethanol, Tafenoquine, Trilaciclib. The full list is on the Varenicline page.
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