Dr. Howard Smith Reports

First FDA Approved Oral Drug For Postpartum Depression


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One in every 8 new mothers experience postpartum depression.  The number is surging with a 7-fold increase over a 15 year period.  The FDA has now approved the oral neuronsteroid drug zuranolone, branded by Sage Therapeutics/Biogen as Zurzuvae.  This drug is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring allopregnanolone that stimulates the brain’s GABA-A receptors leading to a calming and antidepressant effect.  Phase 3 clinical trials have demonstrated that this oral drug works to effectively ease depression within 3 days whereas conventional therapy requires injections and may take weeks to become effective.  The downside: the drug passes into breast milk precluding breast-feeding until studies show that zuranolone is safe for newborns.


https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-treatment-postpartum-depression

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/postpartum-depression-pill-zurzuvae-zuranolone

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/features/maternal-depression/index.html


#postpartum #depression #zuranolone #Zurzuvae #breastfeeding



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Dr. Howard Smith ReportsBy Howard G. Smith MD, AM