First-ever treatment for postpartum depression gives hope to mothers

A pioneering new medication is transforming care for postpartum depression (PPD), offering fast and targeted relief for new mothers experiencing one of the most serious maternal mental health conditions. Brexanolone (brand name, Zulresso) is the first treatment specifically approved for PPD—a disorder that affects one in seven women after childbirth and can deeply impact maternal wellbeing and early infant development. 

PPD is more than the “baby blues.” It can bring overwhelming sadness, anxiety, and disconnection, making it difficult for a mother to care for herself or her child. For decades, treatment options were limited to standard antidepressants, which are often too slow or ineffective during the postpartum period. 

That changed thanks to decades of NIMH*-funded research. In the 1980s, scientists began uncovering the role of a brain-derived steroid called allopregnanolone, which surges during pregnancy and plummets after birth. Basic research revealed that this neurosteroid regulates mood by amplifying GABA—the brain’s primary calming system. These insights laid the foundation for a new kind of treatment: one built by design, not chance. 

Sage Therapeutics used this science to develop brexanolone, a synthetic version of allopregnanolone. Clinical trials led by Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody showed rapid symptom relief—often within 60 hours, with one woman sharing: “On the second day when I woke up, the only thing that I wanted was my daughter.”

Recognised as a Breakthrough Therapy, brexanolone was fast-tracked and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019. Lived experience shaped its development: participants helped refine protocols, monitor safety, and advocate for more compassionate care. 

Brexanolone’s success marks a breakthrough in both women’s mental health and psychiatric drug development. Yet access to these innovations remains uneven—limited by cost, geography, and systemic barriers. To ensure all women benefit, next steps for investment must go beyond discovery to include equitable delivery. A positive step in this direction is development of zuranolone as an oral alternative.  

*IAMHRF Member