According to a study by Cambridge University, a family history of mental health issues such as postpartum depression can also make a person more vulnerable.
Biogen and Sage Therapeutics, the manufacturers of zuranolone, for sale as Zurzuvae, advertise that their studies show improvement within 15 days of taking the medicine and when compared to a placebo, Zurzuvae is effective as early as three days after starting treatment.
Dr. Saira Kalia, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson and the director of the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line, said that the studies also show that it can be determined within three days if the person is responding to the medicine.
“Speed makes a big difference in terms of response and everything,” Kalia said.
Lewis said it is important to know as soon as possible “that mom is feeling her best so she can care for herself and her baby.”
Zurzuvae is the first pill, and the second medication overall, approved by the FDA to treat postpartum depression according to a press release from the agency.
The first FDA-approved postpartum depression medication was brexanolone, under the brand name Zulresso, which, according to the Zulresso website, can only be administered through an IV at certified health care facilities, such as a hospital or pharmacy, due to the risk of sudden loss of consciousness.
Kalia said Zurzuvae and Zulresso are essentially the same drug but Zurzuvae is much more accessible in the sense that a parent does not have to be hospitalized and away from their child.
“Hospitalization, needing to be hospitalized and the impact it has on the whole family is not a simple thing,” Kalia said.