Abstract
Brexanolone recently became the first medication to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating postpartum depression. In contrast to traditional antidepressants, however, brexanolone is a neurosteroid that is believed to mimic allopregnanolone, a product of endogenous progesterone. Although early clinical trials have shown success, the medication remains largely unavailable due to its extremely high cost and formulation (it must be given as a continuous intravenous infusion over 3 days in a monitored, inpatient setting). The efficacy data surrounding brexanolone are encouraging; there is also evidence, however, that postpartum depression may be mitigated by a number of social policies that provide support to new parents. We suggest a comprehensive approach to postpartum wellness that includes investing in evidence-based social interventions that may be much more accessible to the millions of Americans experiencing postpartum mood disturbance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 231-235 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Clinical Therapeutics |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2020 |
Keywords
- Brexanolone
- Pharmacotherapy
- Postpartum depression
- Social determinants
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacology (medical)