New antidepressant shows promise against postpartum depression

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-07-01 14:00

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A US 'gold standard' clinical trial of the antidepressant drug zuranolone suggests it is effective as a treatment for postpartum depression. The drug was tested in 148 patients, around half of whom received the drug, while the others were given a placebo (sugar pill). When the symptoms of depression were assessed from day three to day 45, women who had received the drug showed improvements not seen in the placebo group, while side-effects were minimal, the scientists say.