A first-of-its-kind oral medication specifically designed to treat postnatal depression has been approved in the United States.
Zuranolone, as it is called, is the first FDA-approved oral drug to target the mental health condition, which affects one in seven new mothers in the US (studies vary: it’s one in eight in the UK, according to government data, or one in 10 according to NHS research).
The drug was developed by Sage Therapeutics in collaboration with another pharmaceutics company, Biogen. The former was also given FDA approval for an intravenous version of a similar drug in 2019, which is not used widely due to its high price tag and the difficulty of administration (which takes place over three days in a medical unit and costs $34,000 per treatment. In contrast, the new oral drug is much simpler: the treatment is to be taken at home once-a-day on a two-week long course.
The drug is said to be effective against symptoms associated with the post-birth mental health condition. According to a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, which looked at 196 female postpartum depression sufferers taking the drug over a course of 14 days, those taking the medication showed “significant improvements in depressive symptoms” compared with those administered a placebo treatment.
“Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which women experience sadness, guilt, worthlessness—even, in severe cases, thoughts of harming themselves or their child. And, because postpartum depression can disrupt the maternal-infant bond, it can also have consequences for the child’s physical and emotional development,” Dr. Tiffany R. Farchione, director of the Division of Psychiatry in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research told CNN, commenting on the drug’s approval. “Having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings.”
Dr Annie Hickox, an ex-NHS consultant clinical psychologist based in the UK, commented on Twitter that the move could be a “real game-changer for women”.
In a further tweet, she added: “When it comes to treating Post-Partum Depression, time is of the essence. That this med kicks in quickly could save many lives, & I suppose cld stop many cases from developing into psychosis. Anti-psychs can shove it with their ‘wait it out/big pharma/it’s the patriarchy’ shtick.” [sic]
It is not yet known if or when this drug will be approved for use in the UK, or if any similar ones are being developed.
What is postnatal depression?
Postnatal depression, also known more commonly as postpartum depression in the US, is a common mental health condition occurring typically from a few days after a baby is born, according to the NHS website. It is most common among mothers but can also affect fathers and partners.
Symptoms include:
- A persistent feeling of sadness or low mood
- Difficulty making decisions
- Withdrawing from contact with others
- Loss of enjoyment in the outside world
- Struggling to look after yourself of your baby
Current treatments available for postnatal depression in the UK include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT); talking therapy; and self-help (ie lifestyle changes like diet and exercise).