LIMA, OH (WLIO) - If new mothers have strong feelings of sadness and anxiety that last for a long time after giving birth, they may have postpartum depression. Bethany Ulrick will tell us about a new drug that could help women.
Many people don't know that up to one in five new mothers can experience postpartum depression. The symptoms, like low energy and mood, and inconsistent sleep, are similar to depression at any time in life. And for those who seek help, both therapy and medications can make a difference. But now there is a drug approved by the FDA, called Zuranolone, that specifically treats postpartum depression. Psychiatrists who specialize in caring for new mothers say the medication is very unique.
"We are very excited about this new medicine because it's the first time that we specifically target the mechanism for depression, after childbirth is a very different mechanism than depression at any other time in a person's life. Or in men," says Dr. Maria Muzik, a perinatal psychiatrist at UM Health. "This is very specific to childbirth. And it's very promising to go down this route because we might develop " even better, more promising medicines following this route."
The Zuranolone pill is taken orally once a day for two weeks and starts relieving depressive symptoms after about three days. It supplies a mimic of a neurohormone that decreases rapidly after pregnancy and impacts mood. But Dr. Muzik says the pill alone won't eliminate the need for other treatments for postpartum depression.
"I think it will join the group of all the treatments and medicines that we already have and maybe be even better down the road than other medicines because it's so sad. Specific to this time period, I think that we still will need all the other treatments such as psychotherapies, social supports, education, prevention," adds Dr. Muzik. "But this medicine definitely is one important pillar in the whole treatment package."
Muzik says the pharmaceutical company that developed the drug is working with insurance companies and Medicaid to determine a plan for coverage.
