FDA approves first prescription drug to treat postpartum depression

This browser does not support the video element.

About 1-in-8 women who have given birth experience symptoms of postpartum depression.

Now, the first oral treatment for women with PPD is available.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Katlyn Pratt said her mental health worsened after the birth of her son Carson.

“I feel like my anxiety went through the roof,” she said. “I had absolutely no motivation to do anything. I had a newborn baby who obviously needed me, and all I wanted to do was sleep.”

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Three months later, she knew she needed more help. She saw an ad for a clinical trial testing a new treatment for post-partum depression and enrolled. Her symptoms improved within days.

“I was like full of energy,” she explained. “The biggest thing was like, I was going to sleep and woke up feeling rested.”

Read: Young teenage girl recovering after being shot in Whitehouse neighborhood

The usual treatment for PPD could be the use of antidepressants, which take weeks to work.

Now, the FDA approved a prescription drug called Zurzuvae is available, the first pill to treat PPD.

“There is such a great need for fast-acting, antidepressant drugs in all types of depression, but particularly in the very vulnerable period where you have a postpartum mother and baby,” said Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody with UNC Health.

Read: Damaged gas line impacts more than 1,400 customers in Duval and St. Johns Counties

Meltzer-Brody ran the clinical trials for Zurzuvae. Research showed that when the medication was taken for 14 days, it improved symptoms at Day 15 and as early as 3 days for women with PPD.

“For any mother who is feeling sad or blue in a way that is persistent or interfering with functioning, changes in eating or sleeping, feeling hopeless or having thoughts that life is not worth living, these are all things that should make you contact your doctor right away,” explained Meltzer-Brody.

“It’s really important to take care of yourself, not just your baby. Honestly, your baby is what matters most I know, but they also need a happy, healthy mom,” said Pratt.

Carson is now 3 years old. Pratt said she’s grateful she got the help she needed.

Read: Local runner uses his miles to make miracles for children’s hospital

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.