Script

FDA APPROVES DRUG FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION
Kenleigh McMinn, Ph.D, Psychologist, Baylor Scott & White Health

{**ON CAM**}
THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION APPROVED A NEW DRUG THIS MONTH ... SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE SYMPTOMS OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION.

{**TAKE VO**}
PSYCHOLOGIST KENLEIGH MCMINN SAYS THE DRUG TAKES EFFECT MORE QUICKLY THAN OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANTS ... WHICH CAN TAKE WEEKS TO KICK IN. SHE ALSO SAYS THE NEW DRUG IS DESIGNED TO TARGET A HORMONE THAT IS OFTEN HIGHER IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AFTER GIVING BIRTH.
ABOUT FIFTEEN PERCENT OF WOMEN EXPERIENCE POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION ... AND SUICIDE IS THE NUMBER ONE PREGNANCY-RELATED CAUSE OF DEATH.
DR. MCMINN SAYS THE F-D-A APPROVAL IS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT FOR MANY WOMEN.

{**TAKE SOT**}
Kenleigh McMinn, Ph.D
Baylor Scott & White Health
TRT: 10

So there’s still a lot more research that needs to be done on the long-term effects and how it applies to different patient populations, but it looks like this is really exciting and really promising for women with severe postpartum depression.

{**ON CAM**}
DR. MCMINN SAYS A SIMILAR DRUG HIT THE MARKET IN 20-19 ... BUT THAT ONE WAS ADMINISTERED BY AN I-V AND REQUIRED AN EXTENDED HOSPITAL STAY. THIS NEW TREATMENT IS A ONCE-A-DAY PILL ... TAKEN FOR FOURTEEN DAYS, AT HOME.