After the birth of Katlyn’s first son, small tasks became hard. “I used to be a busy, busy person. I worked multiple jobs and had hobbies I loved. But after giving birth, I suddenly had no motivation — at all. I didn’t want to get out of bed, let alone take care of myself,” she said. "I used to ride horses all the time. That was my main hobby. But after my son was born, I lost interest. I felt lost."
Katlyn knew something wasn’t right. And she wasn’t alone — approximately one in eight women in the US report experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) after giving birth. PPD is different from the “baby blues,” with longer-lasting symptoms that can be serious if not treated.
After confiding in her OB/GYN and receiving a diagnosis of PPD, Katlyn enrolled in a clinical trial for a PPD treatment called zuranolone. Zuranolone has since been approved as ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) CIV, the first and only FDA-approved oral treatment for adults with postpartum depression. It is not known if ZURZUVAE is safe and effective in children. We spoke to Katlyn about her experience with PPD, navigating new motherhood, and how treatment helped her feel more like herself again.
ZURZUVAE may cause serious side effects including a decreased ability to drive or do other dangerous activities. ZURZUVAE may decrease your awareness and alertness, which can affect your ability to drive safely or safely do other dangerous activities. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until at least 12 hours after taking each dose during your 14-day treatment course of ZURZUVAE. You may not be able to tell on your own if you can drive safely or tell how much ZURZUVAE is affecting you. Please see additional Important Safety Information below and the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.
What is Postpartum Depression Really Like?
For Katlyn, PPD felt like an overwhelming loss of motivation and interest in her hobbies and other activities, coupled with the fear that she wasn’t a good mother. "When I had experienced depression before my pregnancy, I struggled with feeling like I wasn't good enough. With PPD, that feeling was multiplied by a thousand," she recalled.
PPD can cause a number of symptoms, and each woman can experience it differently. Some of the more common symptoms include:
Depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks
Loss of interest in hobbies and activities you used to love
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite or weight
Decreased energy or fatigue
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still; or thinking and moving more slowly than usual
Thoughts about death, suicide, or harming oneself or the baby
If you're thinking about suicide, call the confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 988. If you’re having a medical emergency, call 911. If you fear for your safety or the safety of your child, get help immediately. If you are experiencing any of these or other symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider right away.
Despite being one of the most common medical conditions associated with pregnancy, PPD continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated.
How Katlyn Found the Right Treatment for Her PPD
Katlyn tried talking to her sister, who had been through PPD herself. “But talking to my sister alone wasn’t getting me anywhere,” she shared. “I knew I needed to do something about how I was feeling.” Talking to a healthcare provider (who might be your OB/GYN, midwife, nurse, or a mental health professional) is an important first step in the journey to getting help. Only a medical professional can diagnose PPD or help determine if you are experiencing PPD or something else.
At her six-week checkup, Katlyn told her OB/GYN about how she was feeling and was diagnosed with PPD. But the treatment she was prescribed didn’t work for her. "I wasn’t suicidal, but I had these intrusive thoughts, like ‘what if I just wasn’t here anymore?’ And that scared me."
It wasn’t until she saw an ad for a PPD medication trial that she realized there might be another way. "I was willing to try anything, even if there was just a slim chance that it would help me feel more like myself again,” Katlyn explained.
Within three days of starting the treatment, she felt a difference. “I couldn’t believe it. I woke up one morning and actually felt rested. I wanted to shower, go outside, do something — anything.”
ZURZUVAE 50 mg was studied in women whose PPD symptoms started in the third trimester or within 4 weeks of delivery in a 6-week trial. During the trial, patients took either ZURZUVAE or placebo for 14 days, and were followed up for another 4 weeks. Significantly greater PPD symptom improvement was demonstrated at Day 3, Day 15 (the primary endpoint), and Day 45 compared to placebo, using a standard depression rating scale.
Katlyn's story reflects her personal experience with ZURZUVAE. Individual results may vary and it is important to talk to your doctor about the benefit-risk profile.
ZURZUVAE may cause additional serious side effects including decreased awareness and alertness [central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects].
ZURZUVAE may cause sleepiness, drowsiness, slow thinking, dizziness, confusion, and trouble walking.
Because of these symptoms, you may be at a higher risk for falls during treatment with ZURZUVAE
Taking alcohol, other medicines that cause CNS depressant effects, or opioids while taking ZURZUVAE can make these symptoms worse and may also cause trouble breathing
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms, or if they get worse during treatment with ZURZUVAE. Your healthcare provider may decrease your dose or stop ZURZUVAE treatment if you develop these symptoms
What Katlyn Wants New Mothers to Know About PPD
Today, Katlyn wants to help other moms get the help they need and deserve postpartum. She believes advocating for herself helped her get better, and encourages all women to do the same by being informed about their options.
“Medication might help, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you believe you need. There are lots of people willing to help and a lot of women who have gone through the same thing,” she advises.
Reach out to those you trust and talk to your healthcare provider about your options. Finding treatment that works for you can make a difference — and it’s never too late to ask for support. Get help starting the conversation about PPD here.
“My biggest advice is to not be scared to reach out.” Katlyn says. “It can be easy to blame yourself when you feel like you’re failing, but keep looking forward. Your mental health should be a priority.”
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with PPD, talk to a healthcare professional. There are treatments that can help. ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) is the first and only FDA-approved 14-day oral treatment for adults with PPD. Learn more about ZURZUVAE® (zuranolone) here.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (CONT'D)
What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?
ZURZUVAE is a federal controlled substance (C-IV) because it contains zuranolone, which can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep ZURZUVAE in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not sell or give away ZURZUVAE, because it may harm others and is against the law.
Before taking ZURZUVAE, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
drink alcohol
have abused or been dependent on prescription medicines, street drugs, or alcohol
have liver or kidney problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ZURZUVAE may harm your unborn baby
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. ZURZUVAE passes into breast milk, and it is not known if it can harm your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding and about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with ZURZUVAE
Females who are able to become pregnant:
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with ZURZUVAE.
You should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ZURZUVAE and for 1 week after the final dose
There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to ZURZUVAE during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to ZURZUVAE and their baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with ZURZUVAE, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visit online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/ pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ZURZUVAE and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. ZURZUVAE may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way ZURZUVAE works.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take antidepressants, opioids, or CNS depressants such as benzodiazepines.
What should I avoid while taking ZURZUVAE?
Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until at least 12 hours after taking each dose of ZURZUVAE because ZURZUVAE may make you feel sleepy, confused, or dizzy
Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking ZURZUVAE without talking to your healthcare provider
See “What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?”
ZURZUVAE may cause serious side effects, including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about ZURZUVAE?”
Increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. ZURZUVAE and other antidepressant medicines may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in people 24 years of age and younger. ZURZUVAE is not for use in children
How can I watch for and try to prevent suicidal thoughts and actions?
Pay close attention to any changes, especially sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, or if you develop suicidal thoughts or actions. This is very important when an antidepressant medicine is started or when the dose is changed
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled. Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you have concerns about symptoms
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you:
attempts to commit suicide
thoughts about suicide or dying
new or worse depression
feeling very agitated or restless
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
new or worse anxiety
panic attacks
new or worse irritability
acting aggressive, being angry, or violent
an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
acting on dangerous impulses
other unusual changes in behavior or mood
The most common side effects of ZURZUVAE include:
Sleepiness or drowsiness, dizziness, common cold, diarrhea, feeling tired, weak, or having no energy, and urinary tract infection
These are not all of the possible side effects of ZURZUVAE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide
ZUR-US-1094 12/24
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