The first postpartum depression drug zuranolone, sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, has shown mixed results since its release a year and a half ago, according to a July 22 report in The New York Times. Physicians are navigating the questions of why some women benefit and others do not. About 1 in 8 women experience postpartum depression symptoms, according to the CDC.
Here are five things to note:
- Clinical trials found that 60% of women with postpartum depression reported symptom improvement after completing the FDA-approved, 14-day oral medication course.
- Some women reported their symptoms “improved remarkably” as early as three days after starting the drug. Most antidepressant medications do not produce results until four to eight weeks, according to GoodRx.
- Other women reported a modest benefit but said the effect did not last or depression symptoms persisted.
- Some felt “profound drowsiness” due to the drug’s side effects, leading them to stop the medication before completing the 14-day course.
- The medication is “incredibly sedating” and the drug’s label warns against driving for at least 12 hours after taking the drug, said Alison Reminick, MD, director of reproductive mental health for the University of San Diego, to the Times. This side effect can also prevent women from caring for their child, which further deters use, she added. However, some women did not experience sedation, while others found the sedative effects beneficial for sleep.
