Particle.news
Download on the App Store

EU Approves First Postpartum Depression Drug: Biogen’s Zurzuvae

Regulators highlight a faster-acting option with use restricted in pregnancy, not recommended during breastfeeding.

Overview

  • The European Commission granted EU-wide marketing authorization on September 17 following a positive assessment from the European Medicines Agency.
  • Zurzuvae contains the active ingredient zuranolone and is manufactured by Biogen.
  • Regulators say symptoms can improve within about two weeks, noting standard antidepressants often act too slowly for this condition.
  • The medicine is prescription-only and can cause side effects, according to reporting based on regulatory information.
  • Postnatal mental health problems are common, with postpartum depression estimated to affect roughly 10–15% of mothers in Germany.