F.D.A. Approves First Drug for Postpartum Depression

[RNCollins]

F.D.A. Approves First Drug for Postpartum Depression
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/19/health/postpartum-depression-drug.html

By Pam Belluck / Health / The New York Times / nytimes.com / March 19, 2019

“The first drug for women suffering postpartum depression received federal approval on Tuesday, a move likely to pave the way for a wave of treatments to address a debilitating condition that is the most common complication of pregnancy.

The drug works very quickly, within 48 hours — a significant improvement over currently available antidepressants, which can take two to four weeks to have an effect, if they work at all.

Experts say the new treatment will provide immediate relief for mothers whose depression keeps them from providing their babies with the care, bonding and nurturing that is crucial for healthy development. As many as one in seven American women experience depression during or after pregnancy.

“Postpartum depression is a serious condition that, when severe, can be life-threatening,” Dr. Tiffany Farchione, acting director of the Division of Psychiatry Products at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement....”

Stephanie Hathaway with her daughters Brenley, left, and Hadley, in South Windsor, Conn.
Photo Credit: Monica Jorge for The New York Times

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Interesting -
postpartum depression specific .

The F.D.A also just approved ketamine tratment & the delivery system that
uses a nasel spray . That also has reports of quicker symptom improvement for some patients that are not having success with other antidepressant drug treatments .
(for non- postpartum depression)

 

[bluehende]

34,000 yikes

 

[RNCollins]

My Mom had postpartum depression after my younger sister was born (in 1976). I didn’t understand what was going on. My mom didn’t want us around, and later in life I learned she wanted to physically hurt us. She slept a lot. I felt somewhat responsible, even though I didn’t know what it was I did wrong.