Life-changing: First oral postnatal depression medication approved in America

“Having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings.” 

The United States has approved its first oral treatment for postnatal depression. 

This is the first oral drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for postpartum depression.

The oral pill will be sold under the name Zurzuvae and is intended to be taken once a day over the course of 14 days. 

Previously in the US, the only available treatment for postnatal depression was via an IV injection. 

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Approximately one in five Australian women face postnatal depression. Source: iStock

Postnatal depression affects one in five women, one in 10 men

According to Better Health, roughly one in five Australian women face postnatal depression. 

Moreover, one in ten fathers also experiences postnatal depression, with signs developing in the first few months of baby’s arrival. 

Approximately 80 per cent of Australian women face the “baby blues” between three and ten days after giving birth. 

While it can disappear after a few days, one in seven to ten women will later develop postnatal depression.

Following clinical trials of the new medication, Zurzuvae, researchers found that depressive symptoms improved in only three days. 

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Postnatal depression can “disrupt maternal-infant bond”

“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,” said Dr Tiffany R. Farchione, director of the Division of Psychiatry at the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research in a statement. 

“And, because postpartum depression can disrupt the maternal-infant bond, it can also have consequences for the child’s physical and emotional development.” 

“Having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings,” said Dr Farchione. 

Zurzuvae will launch in the United States in the last half of 2023. Side effects may include drowsiness, UTIs, diarrhoea, dizziness and fatigue. 

The FDA also warned future users to avoid using heavy machinery in the first 12 hours after taking the medication.

Originally published as Life-changing: First oral postnatal depression medication approved in America