Description
Zuranolone capsules are used for the treatment postpartum depression (PPD), it is a rapid-acting, once-daily capsule taken for 14 days. Zuranolone works quickly to improve depression symptoms, starting in 3 days compared to current treatment options, which may take weeks or months to work. Zuranolone is the first oral medication to be approved by the FDA to treat postpartum depression.
Uses
Zuranolone is a potent GABAA receptor agonist.
Definition
Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor-positive modulator, and the first oral medication indicated to treat postpartum depression in adults 2.
Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of zuranolone in treating PPD is not fully understood but is thought to be related to its positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors. Unlike benzodiazepines, another class of GABAA positive modulators, zuranolone binds to the α/β subunit interface presented in all GABAA receptors instead of the α/γ subunit interface. Therefore, zuranolone can bind to both synaptic GABAA receptors, composed of 2α2βγ subunits, and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors, composed of 2α2βδ subunits.
