Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Committee Chair
Trey Boyd
Abstract
Introduction: Postpartum depression is a major form of depression that occurs anytime within the first year after a woman gives birth. It is characterized by low moods, increased feelings of sadness and anxiety, and a decreased interest in one’s baby. It is commonly treated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which present with negative side effects and have a long duration of onset. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of zuranolone, a fast-acting neuroactive steroid and GABA-A receptor modulator, on its ability to reduce symptoms of postpartum depression.
Methods: The PubMed database was searched for clinical trials to assess the efficacy of zuranolone in women with postpartum depression. The keywords “Postpartum Depression” and “zuranolone” were used with specifiers that resulted in 15 articles. After all articles were further reviewed, 4 articles were selected for clinical review based on the similarities of subjects with postpartum depression and treatment groups that used oral zuranolone versus placebo.
Results: All studies concluded that the data from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses supported the efficacy of zuranolone in reducing depressive symptoms in postpartum women. All data were statistically significant, with P values less than 0.05 and a 95% Confidence Interval.
Discussion: This review has proven the use of zuranolone to be efficacious for treating postpartum depression in women. While this medication has been confirmed safe, women experiencing postpartum depression should always seek attention from a medical professional for treatment. Further research is needed, utilizing larger sample sizes and more prolonged treatment durations to provide a more comprehensive review
Recommended Citation
Welliver DG. Efficacy of Zuranolone Use for Postpartum Depression. The PA Department Journal of Medical Science. 2025. https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/pa-department-journal-of-medical-science/43
Creative Commons License
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