FDA Approves First Oral Pill To Treat Postpartum Depression

The FDA has approved the first oral pill, called zuranolone and marketed as Zurzuvae, specifically for the treatment of postpartum depression.
Zuranolone works by regulating mood and behavior through action on GABA receptors in the brain and shows improvement in depression symptoms within days.
Previously, the only FDA-approved treatment was an IV infusion drug, but zuranolone offers a more accessible at-home pill option taken daily for two weeks.
While promising for treating postpartum depression faster, zuranolone does carry side effects like drowsiness and risks like potential fetal harm, requiring precautions.
The FDA approval provides an important new treatment option for postpartum depression, which impacts many women after childbirth and can have serious consequences.