US Approves First Pill For Postpartum Depression

US approves first pill for postpartum depression. According to a report by BBCThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved the first pill to treat postpartum depression, which is believed to affect about half a million women in the country each year.

The FDA said that zranolone is “the first oral drug indicated for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults.”

“Previously, treatment for PPD was only available as an IV injection given by a health care provider in certain health care facilities,” the report added.

According to the FDA, symptoms of postpartum depression include sadness, loss of energy, suicidal thoughts, decreased ability to feel pleasure, and cognitive impairment.

“Approximately one in eight women experience symptoms of PPD following a recent birth,” said Dr. Ashima Ahmad, chief medical officer at Carrot Fertility, a healthcare company in Menlo Park, Calif. 75% of women who report symptoms go untreated.” “

“These figures were higher among minority populations, with 81 percent of black women and 76 percent of Hispanic women wishing they had learned more about postpartum mental health before having children, compared to 70 percent of women overall. I answer,” she said. .

With rising maternal mortality and significant racial disparities in maternal outcomes, we need to focus on solutions, including addressing postpartum depression. “

Designed specifically for postpartum depression, the pill has been proven to work faster than other antidepressants and is designed to be taken for only two weeks. AFP.

Doctors said the pill’s side effects were milder than other antidepressants currently in use.

“Both the low incidence of side effects and short-term dosing to reduce some people’s prejudice against having to use antidepressants may improve compliance,” she said. Stated.

Tiffany Falchione, director of psychiatry at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said postpartum depression “is a condition in which women experience feelings of sadness, guilt, worthlessness, and in severe cases, even thoughts of self-harm.” is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.” or their children. “

“The availability of oral medications will be a beneficial option for many women coping with extreme and sometimes life-threatening emotions,” she says.

The tablets are marketed under the brand name Zurzuvae and are developed by Massachusetts-based Sage Therapeutics.

according to new york timesthe only other drug approved for postpartum depression is brexanolone, which was approved by the FDA in 2019 but requires a 60-hour intravenous infusion in the hospital and costs $34,000.

Pricing for the new oral drug has not yet been announced.