Is Chantix varenicline an anti-depressant

AnswerVarenicline (Chantix) is not an anti-depressant, but it does have some indirect actions on dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that some anti-depressant medications work on.

Here is how varenicline works in smoking cessation: nicotine activates the dopamine reward pathway (by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in your body) which leads to the pleasurable sensations and dependence associated with smoking. However, this pathway is only transiently activated by nicotine, and as nicotine levels begin to wane, users begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline's partial agonist actions at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is believed to reduce withdrawal symptoms and craving in addition to preventing the reward effects of nicotine.