Poster
180
(#180) Real-world treatment patterns of adult patients with postpartum depression initiating zuranolone or antidepressants
Psych Congress 2025
Abstract: Zuranolone (ZRN) is a positive allosteric modulator of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors and a neuroactive steroid approved in the US (2023) as an oral, once-daily, 14-day treatment for adults diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). This interim report describes real-world treatment patterns in adults with PPD initiating ZRN or antidepressants (ADTs) in 2023-2024.
This retrospective claims study included females aged ≥18 years with ≥1 pregnancy claim and ≥1 PPD diagnostic claim (the first PPD or major depressive disorder ICD-10-coded claim during or within 12 months after pregnancy). Continuously enrolled patients from 4 months pre-pregnancy through 3 months post-initial treatment were categorized as those prescribed ZRN first-line therapy (ZRN-1L), ZRN following first-line ADT use (ADT-ZRN), or first-line ADT use only (ADT-1L). Linked third-party ZRN claims were from a national specialty pharmacy; ADT claims were from a third-party database.
Among ZRN-1L patients (n=102), 67.6% initiated ZRN as monotherapy. In ADT-ZRN patients (n=43), 72.1% discontinued first-line ADTs and switched to ZRN after >21 days; 27.9% continued first-line ADTs and initiated concomitant ZRN after >21 days. Among ADT-1L patients (n=13,141), 54.6% persisted on treatment, 35.1% discontinued, 6.8% augmented with another ADT/antipsychotic, and 3.5% switched treatment 3 months post-initiation. In post-hoc analyses, 84.3% of ZRN-1L and 76.7% of ADT-ZRN patients were not prescribed additional ZRN or new ADTs within 3 months after ZRN initiation.
During a 3-month follow-up, most patients initiating ZRN as first-line or later-line therapy were not prescribed additional ZRN or new ADTs; most patients receiving only first-line ADTs persisted on treatment.
Short Description: Zuranolone is the only FDA-approved (2023) oral medication for adults diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). This real-world study assessed treatment patterns of adults with PPD initiating zuranolone first-line therapy, zuranolone following first-line antidepressant use, or first-line antidepressant use only. Most zuranolone prescriptions were for first-line monotherapy. During a 3-month follow-up, most patients who initiated zuranolone first-line or later-line therapy were not prescribed additional zuranolone or new antidepressants; most patients receiving first-line antidepressants persisted on treatment.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Sage Therapeutics, Inc., and Biogen Inc.
This retrospective claims study included females aged ≥18 years with ≥1 pregnancy claim and ≥1 PPD diagnostic claim (the first PPD or major depressive disorder ICD-10-coded claim during or within 12 months after pregnancy). Continuously enrolled patients from 4 months pre-pregnancy through 3 months post-initial treatment were categorized as those prescribed ZRN first-line therapy (ZRN-1L), ZRN following first-line ADT use (ADT-ZRN), or first-line ADT use only (ADT-1L). Linked third-party ZRN claims were from a national specialty pharmacy; ADT claims were from a third-party database.
Among ZRN-1L patients (n=102), 67.6% initiated ZRN as monotherapy. In ADT-ZRN patients (n=43), 72.1% discontinued first-line ADTs and switched to ZRN after >21 days; 27.9% continued first-line ADTs and initiated concomitant ZRN after >21 days. Among ADT-1L patients (n=13,141), 54.6% persisted on treatment, 35.1% discontinued, 6.8% augmented with another ADT/antipsychotic, and 3.5% switched treatment 3 months post-initiation. In post-hoc analyses, 84.3% of ZRN-1L and 76.7% of ADT-ZRN patients were not prescribed additional ZRN or new ADTs within 3 months after ZRN initiation.
During a 3-month follow-up, most patients initiating ZRN as first-line or later-line therapy were not prescribed additional ZRN or new ADTs; most patients receiving only first-line ADTs persisted on treatment.
Short Description: Zuranolone is the only FDA-approved (2023) oral medication for adults diagnosed with postpartum depression (PPD). This real-world study assessed treatment patterns of adults with PPD initiating zuranolone first-line therapy, zuranolone following first-line antidepressant use, or first-line antidepressant use only. Most zuranolone prescriptions were for first-line monotherapy. During a 3-month follow-up, most patients who initiated zuranolone first-line or later-line therapy were not prescribed additional zuranolone or new antidepressants; most patients receiving first-line antidepressants persisted on treatment.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): Sage Therapeutics, Inc., and Biogen Inc.
