Sage Therapeutics gets USFDA nod to Zulresso for treating depression

In a company-funded study of new mothers with moderate or severe postpartum depression, half the women given Zulresso had depression end within 2 ½ days, about double the rate of those in a comparison group given dummy treatments.

TRENTON: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug specifically developed for severe depression after childbirth.

The agency on Tuesday approved Sage Therapeutics' Zulresso(ZUHL'-ress-oh), an IV drug given over 2 ½ days.

In a company-funded study of new mothers with moderate or severe postpartum depression, half the women given Zulresso had depression end within 2 ½ days, about double the rate of those in a comparison group given dummy treatments.

Read Also: FDA panel recommends Sage’s postpartum depression treatment

Postpartum depression affects about 400,000 American women a year. It's often treated with antidepressants, though they can take several weeks to help and don't always work.

Sage said Zulresso will cost $34,000 without insurance, plus costs for the stay in a hospital or infusion centre.