The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first pill for postpartum depression, Zuranolone, as a once-daily pill taken for two weeks. The pill, sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, is expected to be available later this year. Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition affecting one in seven women in the US. The FDA said that the pill helped significantly reduce depressive symptoms within three days and maintained its effect at four weeks after the last dose. Common side-effects from taking Zurzuvae include drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, the common cold, and urinary tract infection. The FDA also warned that Zurzuvae can affect a person's ability to drive and perform other potentially hazardous activities, recommending patients not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 12 hours after taking it. Sage Therapeutics and Biogen had also sought approval for Zuranolone for major depressive disorder (MDD), but the FDA said the medication did not provide substantial evidence of effectiveness and an additional study or studies would be needed. The companies are evaluating their next steps.
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