Unlike SSRIs, brexanolone is a neuroactive steroid that mimics allopregnanolone—a hormone that plummets after birth. It works rapidly, often within the 60-hour infusion, rather than over weeks.
It requires continuous IV infusion over about 2.5 days at a certified center with monitoring, because of the risk of excessive sedation. This intensity limits its use to specific moderate-to-severe cases.
See how this fits alongside other options in our treatment overview, and the medications used for PPD in the medication guide.
Selected recent peer-reviewed studies, pulled live from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Counts and citations update automatically.
Many women see improvement during or shortly after the 60-hour infusion—far faster than standard antidepressants.
It requires a monitored IV infusion at a certified facility, which makes it less accessible than the newer oral option, zuranolone.
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