The American Medicines Agency (FDA) announced on Friday, August 4, to authorize for the first time a tablet for the treatment of postpartum depression, a situation encountered by many women after childbirth but long remained taboo.
Zurzuvae, from Sage Therapeutics Laboratories, is “the first oral medication to be offered for the treatment of postpartum depression in adults”the FDA announced in a press release.
Every year, about half a million American women experience postpartum depression. A physical and psychological shock that can last several months, postpartum depression is a situation “serious and life-threatening, during which women experience sadness, feelings of guilt, worthlessness”recalls Tiffany Farchione, head of psychiatry at the American Medicines Agency. “Having access to oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women who are dealing with extreme, and sometimes even life-threatening, feelings.”by suicidal thoughts, adds Tiffany Farchione in the press release.
According to two double-blind studies cited by the FDA, patients who received Zurzuvae “showed much better improvements in their symptoms than those in the placebo group”.
First results after only three days of treatment
Today, about one in eight women who have given birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression and, of these, only a quarter receive treatment, recalls Asima Ahmad, medical manager for the company Carrot Fertility. And if he “there are a lot of drugs that treat depression, zuranolone [le principe actif du Zuzuvae]studied as a treatment for postpartum depression, has faster efficacy and shorter treatment duration than other drugs already available”writes the specialist.
Zurzuvae can start working after just three days of treatment, she points out. Authorities recommend taking one 50mg tablet every night for fourteen days. Its price has not been disclosed. The Agency advises against driving during treatment due to side effects.
Asima Ahmad specifies that another drug, Brexanolone, already exists but requires an intravenous injection over sixty hours, whereas with oral administration at home, Zurzuvae “could improve ease of access for some populations”especially ethnic minorities, who are less aware of the risks.