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Varenicline

Other names: Chantix, Tyrvaya

The FAA's guidance for varenicline depends on how it is taken. Each way is below, with its own FAA source and date.

Tablets to quit smoking (Chantix)

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

1 week

ground trial when starting

Other FAA documents add more.

Examiner

The examiner can issue when the document's criteria are met

FAA label

ACCEPTABLE

Source: FAA, Smoking Cessation Medications. FAA date 29 April 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA lists varenicline as an acceptable smoking cessation medication, with a one-week ground trial and no post-dose observation time, and says the examiner can issue if there is no history of psychiatric conditions or concerns, and tells the examiner to annotate Item 60.

Track your medications
Compare FAA documents: vareniclineWhat each of the two FAA documents says, in plain wordsOpen

Wait

  • no wait after later doses

If it is used as an antidepressant, the FAA points to its Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions Table. The same page says usual treatment lasts 12 weeks, and extended maintenance therapy up to one year may have additional guidance.

The FAA's Do Not Issue list adds a note that the smoking cessation aid varenicline (Chantix) is allowed.

  • 7 days after starting: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: vareniclineThe official FAA wording: two passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, Smoking Cessation Medications · FAA date 29 April 2026
Usual treatment duration is 12 weeks, however, extended maintenance therapy up to one year may have additional guidance.
ACCEPTABLE Smoking Cessation Medications (as a single agent or in any combination product)
Medication Initial observation (Ground Trial) Post-dose observation (no-fly time after each dose)
varenicline (oral) (Chantix): AME can issue if no history of psychiatric condition(s) or concerns. Annotate Item 60. If used as an antidepressant see Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions Table, 1 week, None.
FAA, DO NOT ISSUE – DO NOT FLY Medications and general No Fly wait times · FAA date 30 September 2026
Note: Smoking cessation aid varenicline (Chantix) is allowed.
Sources and dates: vareniclineTwo FAA documents, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked themOpen

Nasal spray for dry eye (Tyrvaya)

varenicline (nasal)

FAA guidance

Acceptable with conditions.

Wait

24 hours

after the first dose

Source: FAA, MedGuide (FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine medication reference). FAA date 1 October 2026. Checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026

The FAA's MedGuide lists varenicline (nasal) (Tyrvaya) as allowed, for dry eye disease, with a wait of 24 hours after the first dose and none after later doses or after the final dose, used as prescribed.

More detail: varenicline (nasal)The rest of Crosscheck's reading, in plain wordsOpen

The MedGuide defines allowed as acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present, and says wait times are not determined solely by the medication: an extended observation period may be required to verify clinical stability of the condition.

  • 24 hours after the first dose: ground observation
Show the FAA's words: varenicline (nasal)The official FAA wording: three passages, each with its document and dateOpen
FAA, MedGuide (FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine medication reference) · FAA date 1 October 2026
Generic: varenicline (nasal)
Brand Name: Tyrvaya
Drug Class: Cholinergic Agonist
Underlying Condition: Dry eye disease
Use: ALLOW
INITIAL Wait Time (after first dose): 24 hours
SUBSEQUENT Dose Wait Time (after each dose): None
DISCONTINUATION Wait Time (after final dose): None
Frequency Use Limit: As prescribed
FAA, MedGuide (FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine medication reference) · FAA date 1 October 2026
ALLOWED: The medication is acceptable for use while performing flight or safety-related duties, provided the condition is stable/aeromedically acceptable and no adverse side effects are present.
FAA, MedGuide (FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine medication reference) · FAA date 1 October 2026
Underlying Condition: Evaluating medication use requires considering the impact of safety of flight from both the medication and underlying condition. Wait times are not determined solely by the medication; an extended observation period may be required to verify clinical stability of the condition.
Sources and dates: varenicline (nasal)One FAA document, with the FAA's date and when Crosscheck checked itOpen

See also

Medication guidance alone does not determine whether a pilot is medically qualified to fly. The underlying condition, dosage, side effects, medication combinations, and certification history may affect FAA eligibility.

For informational purposes only. Not legal or medical advice.