FDA Announces Significant Updates in Postpartum Depression Research and Treatment

Every year, hundreds of thousands of women experience postpartum depression, a serious condition that can persist for months or even years after childbirth. For some women, these feelings can become dangerous. However, there is hope on the horizon. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a groundbreaking new pill, Zurzuvae, specifically designed to treat postpartum depression. Previously, this medication could only be administered through an IV. Manufactured by Sage Therapeutics, Zurzuvae offers a beneficial oral medication option for women coping with extreme and potentially life-threatening feelings, according to Tiffany Farchione, the FDA’s director of psychiatric drugs (FDA release).

The new pill sets itself apart from other antidepressants in two significant ways. Firstly, it has shown fast-acting effects in some patients, with results appearing in as little as three days, unlike the typical two weeks or longer for other antidepressants. Secondly, Zurzuvae is only taken once a day for two weeks, rather than for months. Experts also believe that this targeted medication for postpartum depression will help reduce the stigma associated with the condition. As the New York Times states, it emphasizes the biological underpinnings of postpartum depression and discourages women from blaming themselves.

Sage Therapeutics conducted studies on Zurzuvae and found that women who took the pill reported fewer signs of depression over a period of four to six weeks compared to those who received a placebo. Many of the subjects experienced the effects of the medication within three days of initial consumption. Sahar McMahon, a participant in the studies, attests to the drug’s effectiveness, stating that after taking Zurzuvae, she experienced a quick transition and began to feel like herself again after struggling to connect with her children following the birth of her second daughter in 2021. The pricing for the pill has not yet been announced, but it is expected to be available after a mandatory 90-day review by the Drug Enforcement Administration. (Read more postpartum depression stories.)