Postpartum depression: FDA approves new fast-acting drug

The US Food and Drug Administration has, for the first time, approved a drug to fight postpartum depression.

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On Tuesday, the agency announced the approval of brexanolone, a synthetic form of a hormone produced by progesterone in the brain.

Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, director of the Perinatal Psychiatry Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reportedly said that Brexanolone would help relieve depression and anxiety by alleviating neuronal activity , told the New York Times.

It was approved after clinical trials showed that it was quickly effective in women with disabling depression as new mothers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in nine new mothers will suffer from postpartum depression.

"Postpartum depression is a serious illness that, when it is serious, can be life threatening, and women may have the thought of harming themselves or their child," he said. Tiffany Farchione, Acting Director, Division of Psychiatry Products, Center for Drug Evaluation. and Research, which was quoted in a press release.

Here's what you need to know about Zulresso

• first name: Brexanolone (will be sold under the name of Zulresso)
• How is it administered: Treatment is given as a single 60-hour intravenous infusion at licensed health facility, says FDA
• Side effects: Headache, dizziness or excessive drowsiness; some have experienced sudden loss of consciousness.
• PriceThe drug will probably cost between $ 20,000 and $ 35,000 per treatment, according to Sage Therapeutics, the company that developed the drug, confirmed it.
• How fast does it work? According to Sage, patients experienced an improvement in their symptoms in less than 24 hours.
• When is it available: According to CNN, Sage Therapeutics has announced that the drug will be available in June.

Symptoms of postpartum depression

From the Mayo Clinic, here is a list of symptoms of postpartum depression:

• Depressed mood or serious mood swings
• Excessive crying
• Difficulty connecting with your baby
• Withdraw from family and friends
• Loss of appetite or eating much more than usual
• Inability to sleep (insomnia) or sleep too much
• Overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy
• Reduced interest and fun for the activities you enjoyed
• Intense irritability and anger
• Afraid that you are not a good mother
• Despair
• Feelings of uselessness, shame, guilt or inadequacy
• Reduced ability to think clearly, focus or make decisions
• agitation
• Severe Anxiety and Panic Attacks
• Remember to hurt yourself or your baby
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

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