Psychiatry AdvisorDrug Maker Says Women Can Now Access Postpartum Depression Pill

The daily recommended dose for Zurzuvae is 50mg. It should be taken once every day, for 14 days, in the evening with a fatty meal.

The recent approval and availability of Zurzuvae (zuranolone) marks a significant advancement in the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD). As the first oral medication specifically approved for PPD in the United States, Zurzuvae offers a new therapeutic option characterized by its rapid onset of action and ease of administration. This development is poised to transform the management of PPD, offering hope to affected women and implications for their families’ well-being.

Key Points:

• Approval and Availability: Zurzuvae, the first oral medication for postpartum depression, is now available in the United States, both in specialty pharmacies and through direct shipping to patients.
• Rapid Efficacy: Clinical trials, led by Dr. Kristina Deligiannidis, have demonstrated that Zurzuvae can improve symptoms as early as three days, with significant impact observed by day 15 of treatment.
• Cost: The medication is priced at $15,900 per course, before insurance considerations.
• Administration and Dosage: Zurzuvae is administered as a once-daily pill for a two-week course.
• Clinical Trial Results: Recent studies involving nearly 200 women showed that Zurzuvae led to rapid, significant, and sustained reductions in depressive symptoms compared to a placebo.
• Severity of Postpartum Depression: As outlined by Dr. Tiffany Farchione of the FDA, postpartum depression can be severe, potentially leading to harmful thoughts and affecting the maternal-infant bond.
• Common Side Effects: The most frequent side effects include sleepiness, dizziness, sedation, and headache.
• FDA Warning: A black box warning cautions against driving or operating heavy machinery within 12 hours of taking Zurzuvae due to the risk of sedation.

“Having an option like Zurzuvae that can work at day 15 and improve symptoms in as early as three days has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of women with PPD.”
– Lead Researcher Dr. Kristina Deligiannidis

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