Zulresso will be administered as a continuous IV infusion over 60 hours, according to the statement.
‘Postpartum depression affects one in nine mothers; when it turns severe, it becomes life-threatening.’
Patients will be counselled on the risks of the treatment and instructed to be monitored for the side effects at a health care facility for the entire duration of infusion.
PPD is a major depressive episode that occurs following childbirth, although symptoms can start during pregnancy. According to statistics, PPD impacts one in nine new mothers after childbirth.
"Postpartum depression is a serious condition that, when severe, can be life-threatening. It's first time that a drug has been specifically approved to treat postpartum depression, providing an important new treatment option," said Tiffany Farchione from the FDA.
Zulresso will be available to patients only through a restricted distribution program at certified health care facilities. It is likely to be priced $20,000-35,000 per treatment, said Sage Therapeutics, the company that developed the drug.
The medication will be available in June.
Source: IANS
