The efficacy of zuranolone in postpartum depression and major depressive disorder: a review & number needed to treat (NNT) analysis

Introduction: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common and debilitating mental illness. Postpartum depression (PPD) impacts women globally and is one of the most common complications of childbirth that is underdiagnosed and undertreated, adversely impacting the mental health of women, children, and partners. Available antidepressant medications require weeks to months before showing effect. In this setting, zuranolone, an oral neuroactive steroid and a positive allosteric modulator of GABA(A) receptors, is an attractive alternative as a rapid-acting antidepressant treatment.Areas covered: This article reviews zuranolone (SAGE217), focusing on available clinical studies in individuals with PPD and MDD. This paper adds to the extant literature by presenting the efficacy data as Number Needed to Treat (NNT) to facilitate indirect comparisons with other antidepressants.Expert opinion: Zuranolone is a novel rapid-acting (i.e. two week course) oral antidepressant for the treatment of adults with PPD with ongoing clinical trials evaluating its efficacy in adults with MDD. Zuranolone is well tolerated with no significant safety concerns in any clinical trials completed to date. Zuranolone will be scheduled by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).