This pill offers hope to many mothers who suffer from severe sadness, anxiety or despair after giving birth. Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 5 women, especially those in their 40s.
Despite interventions by specialists, some sufferers remain actively suicidal, which underlines the urgent need for effective treatments. Postpartum depression is not only debilitating for mothers, but can also lead to increased risks of suicide, high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
In addition, children born to mothers with PPD are at greater risk of suffering developmental delays, emotional or behavioral problems and higher mortality before the age of two, stresses Interesting Engineering.
Gairika Mitra
After years of research, Zuranolone has emerged as a promising solution. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August, it is the first pill designed specifically to treat PPD. However, it took several months for it to become widely available due to a lack of candidates willing to take part in clinical trials.
Before Zuranolone, the main treatment for PPD was an intravenous injection approved in 2019. This treatment was limited to a few centers due to risks such as heavy sedation and sudden loss of consciousness. Zuranolone, on the other hand, offers a more affordable and less invasive option.
Some psychiatrists have already started prescribing Zuranolone to their patients, with positive results.
Patients are usually given a 14-day course of treatment, with some seeing improvements as early as the fourth day. Although some patients felt sleepy at night, they generally felt fine in the morning. For others, particularly those suffering from chronic depression exacerbated by pregnancy, Zuranolone provided significant relief when other drugs failed.
Zuranolone's effectiveness has been met with praise by patients. However, the long-term impact of the medication is yet to be determined.
