ADVANCES AND EVIDENCE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ZURANOLONE IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a prevalent clinical condition with significant impact on maternal health and child development, posing relevant challenges in the context of pharmacological treatment. Limitations of conventional antidepressant approaches, particularly regarding efficacy, acceptability, and safety during the puerperal period, highlight the need for therapies targeting neurobiological mechanisms specific to this condition. In this context, zuranolone emerges as a therapeutic alternative based on modulation of the GABAergic system.The objective of this study was to analyze the available scientific evidence on the effectiveness of zuranolone in the treatment of postpartum depression. This is a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in the PROSPERO platform. Clinical studies conducted in humans were included, encompassing randomized controlled trials, post hoc analyses, pharmacokinetic studies, and indirect efficacy comparisons.The synthesis of evidence indicates that zuranolone demonstrates consistent clinical efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms, associated with a favorable safety profile. The analyzed studies also report improvement in symptoms frequently associated with postpartum depression, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, in addition to data supporting its feasibility in the context of breastfeeding.It is concluded that zuranolone represents a relevant advance in the pharmacological treatment of postpartum depression by offering a therapeutic approach aligned with the neurobiological particularities of the puerperal period, with theoretical and practical implications for maternal mental health care.