Breakthrough Treatment for Postpartum Depression Now Available in Oral Form!
The FDA has authorised the use of the oral drug Zuranolone, marketed as Zurzuvae, which is uniquely formulated to treat postpartum depression. This is the first medication of its kind to receive approval for this purpose. Around 1 in 7 women in the United States are affected by postpartum depression.
The recommended dosage involves taking the medication once daily over a span of 14 days. The novel pill is introduced by Sage Therapeutics in collaboration with fellow Massachusetts-based pharmaceutical company Biogen. It closely mimics Sage’s existing infused medication, traditionally administered intravenously during a three-day hospital stay.
Both in pill and IV formats, a replica of a progesterone derivative is utilised, a crucial female hormone essential for sustaining a pregnancy. Following childbirth, the levels of this hormone can experience a significant decline.
Belonging to an innovative class of drugs called neurosteroids, Sage’s medication functions by triggering a unique brain pathway, differing from conventional antidepressants that focus on serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with mood and emotions.
A recent publication in the American Journal of Psychiatry revealed that a clinical trial involving 196 participants was conducted over 45 days. The findings indicated noteworthy enhancements in women treated with Zuranolone, demonstrating statistically significant improvements as early as day 15.
The side effects that were noted included drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation. It is important to note that none of the participants experienced withdrawal symptoms, increased suicidal thoughts, or behaviours typically associated with other antidepressants. However, experts have raised concerns about the well-being of women following a 45-day duration.
Nonetheless, overall research indicates that the Zurzuvae effect carries significant potency, rendering it a viable choice for women who haven’t attained satisfactory outcomes with alternative antidepressants. This offers new hope for a substantial number of affected new mothers in the US.
