Postpartum Depression: A New Medication For Relief

Have you heard the news? There is a new medication that was just approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for postpartum depression! 

Why are we so excited about this medication? Because at Diana Health, we care deeply about your well-being, and not just your physical health, but your emotional and mental well-being too. We support whole health for women and their families, which is why we made mental health services a core part of our care model, and have recently expanded our services with the addition of Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, who can develop comprehensive care plans for your physical and mental health needs, including medication management.

Postpartum depression is just one of the conditions our mental health practitioners can assist with. Seventeen percent of all moms globally have depression soon after having a baby, and many of these women do not receive adequate treatment. They often suffer in silence. This is a serious issue. Read on to learn more about this new medication and its benefits. 

What is the medication that was approved? 

The name of the medication is Zurzuvae (zuranolone). It is a medication that is taken orally once daily. The official indication for its use is depression after a woman has had a baby, also known as postpartum depression. 

Isn’t postpartum depression already treated? 

Yes, postpartum depression is currently treated by medical professionals. However, the medications commonly prescribed to treat postpartum depression were not officially designated for the condition.They were typically oral medications used to treat depression in general, but weren’t specific for postpartum depression. The FDA approved a medication available for postpartum depression called Zulresso in 2019, but its use has been limited since it can only be administered through an intravenous infusion and takes multiple days to administer.

What makes Zurzavae special? 

Many of the oral medications that are currently used to treat postpartum depression can take 2-4 weeks to take effect and are typically taken for at least 6 months before discontinuation. Based upon rigorous research, with Zurzave, by day 15, women who were taking Zurzave had a significant improvement in their depressive symptoms, when compared to the women taking the placebo medication. Some improvement was even seen by day 3 and even after this short-term (14-day) treatment stopped, improvement was still evident for 4 weeks. These are very exciting results! Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid, which is a steroid that impacts the nervous system, to help rebalance and “help reset brain function”

Why is it important to treat postpartum depression? 

Postpartum depression is more than just “baby blues”. Postpartum depression is a serious mental health condition that negatively impacts moms, and it can have a negative impact on their children too. It can cause problems with breastfeeding as well as problems with bonding between the mom and baby. There is even a suggestion that it could negatively impact babies emotionally and cognitively. 

How do I know if it’s postpartum blues or depression? 

This can sometimes be tricky as many of the symptoms overlap. Reach out for help if you’re unsure, as it is always better to err on the side of caution and reach out for support. Also, Mayo Clinic’s website on postpartum depression lists baby blues symptoms as well as symptoms seen with postpartum depression. With baby blues, the symptoms are milder and typically last a few days to a couple of weeks, whereas postpartum depression is typically more intense, may interfere with activities of daily living, and can last longer if not treated. Some moms with postpartum depression may even become suicidal. Use of Zuranolone did not increase the risk of new moms thinking about considering suicide (also called suicidal ideation). 

What are the side effects or downsides of this medication? 

This medication was shown to be well tolerated by most people. Some common side effects were feeling sleepy or dizzy. Also, so far, it has only been studied for use in moms after the delivery of their baby. We know that women who are trying to get pregnant and who are pregnant, also sometimes suffer from depression. This may not be the best medication for everyone with postpartum depression; for example, the initial study did not include women that were breastfeeding, so the impact of that is not yet known and would be good to discuss with your provider. 

If I’m not pregnant but have depression, can I take this medication?

This medication is currently only approved for women with postpartum depression. We don’t know yet if it will eventually be approved for others who have depression outside of the postpartum period. However, other treatments for depression are available to all women. This blog is focusing on medication management for depression; however, “talk therapy” is very useful for treatment of depression too. It’s essential to work with a healthcare provider to determine what treatment is best for each individual who has depression. Our Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can help you find the care plan that is right for you.

What should I do if I am worried about myself or someone else having depression?

Reach out for help now. For any mental health crisis, you can dial 988, which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It provides 24-hour, confidential support. You can also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) is a great resource, as well as Postpartum Support International.

At Diana Health, we care about your physical, emotional, and mental health. We are here to support you throughout your health journey.  If you would like to explore seeking mental health care, please book a visit with a member of our Mental Health team.