Oral neurosteroid ‘effective’ for postpartum depression

The investigational drug acts much more rapidly than conventional antidepressants, researchers say
Reuters Health
depressed young mother and baby

Zuranolone, an investigational oral neuroactive steroid, reduced symptoms of postpartum depression better than placebo within two weeks in a phase III clinical trial, researchers report.

In the US study, 151 women aged 18-45 with postpartum depression were randomised to receive either 30mg of the medication or placebo once daily for 14 days.