Moms, experts say first postpartum depression pill could be a game changer

Editor's note: If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For specific maternal mental health support, call the 24-hour hotline at (833) 943-5746 or see other ways to get help.

While women with postpartum depression are often prescribed anti-depressants, the drugs have had mixed results and can take two to eight weeks to start working. So news that the first-ever pill to target postpartum depression is being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration, with possible approval by early August, is generating buzz among affected mothers.

The drug, called Zuranolone, was developed by Sage Therapeutics in partnership with Biogen. And unlike traditional antidepressants, clinical trials show it works within three days and continues to show improvement months later.

Here & Now's Robin Young talks to University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School psychiatrist Nancy Byatt and Stephanie Hathaway, a Connecticut mother who was part of a clinical trial for Zulresso, an IV infusion of Sage Therapeutics' first postpartum depression drug. Hathaway credits it with saving her life.

Editor's note: The audio version of this story has been updated to accurately distinguish between the pill and IV infusion versions of the drug.