Osborne said the receptors that stimulate the release of GABA change significantly during the postpartum period, in part because the body produces lots of reproductive hormones.Zuranolone offers several advantages over the existing treatment for postpartum depression, called Zulresso, according to the experts interviewed.
Nor did the zuranolone trials find the classic side effects of antidepressants, like sexual dysfunction, weight gain, sleep disturbance or an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, according to Anita Clayton, the national principal investigator for two zuranolone trials in people with clinical depression.For people with mild or moderate postpartum depression, however, psychotherapy is still the go-to treatment.
Six zuranolone trials have focused on patients with clinical depression, and five showed positive results, she said., the drug was no better than a placebo at improving symptoms at the 15-day mark. It did improve symptoms at other time points, however.