Drug Interactions between rasagiline and varenicline

Rasagiline may be taken with or without food. There is no need to avoid most foods and beverages during treatment with rasagiline, as long as you are not receiving more than 1 mg per day of the medication. However, certain foods such as some of the aged cheeses (for example, Boursault, Liederkrantz, Mycella, and Stilton) may contain very high amounts of tyramine and should generally be avoided if possible. Consumption of very high levels of tyramine (greater than 150 mg) while on rasagiline treatment may lead to dangerous increases in your blood pressure, a condition known as hypertensive crisis. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are uncertain about what foods, if any, to avoid. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden and severe headache, blurred vision, confusion, seizures, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), speech difficulties, fever, sweating, lightheadedness, and/or fainting during treatment with rasagiline, as these may be signs and symptoms of a hypertensive crisis. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs, since some medications may increase the blood levels of rasagiline and possibly lead to interactions with tyramine-rich foods. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Varenicline may alter the way you react to alcohol. Some patients treated with varenicline have experienced decreased tolerance to alcohol, including increased drunkenness, unusual or aggressive behavior, or they had no memory of things that happened. You should limit the consumption of alcohol until you know whether varenicline affects your tolerance for alcohol. Also use caution driving or operating machinery until you know how quitting smoking and/or varenicline may affect you. If you develop nervousness, agitation, hostility, aggressive behavior, depression, thoughts of suicide, or have other changes in your behavior or thinking that are
not typical for you, you should immediately stop taking varenicline and contact your doctor. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.