Zuranolone
Also sold as: Zurzuvae
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: GABA A Receptor Positive Modulators (source: RxClass/NLM)
Insurance Coverage User-Reported
No community coverage data yet for zuranolone.
Coverage data submission coming soon.
Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of zuranolone in the treatment of PPD is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its positive allosteric modulation of GABA A receptors.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ZURZUVAE is indicated for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults. ZURZUVAE is a neuroactive steroid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator indicated for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer with fat-containing food. ( 2.1 ) Recommended dosage is 50 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days. ( 2.1 ) Dosage may be reduced to 40 mg once daily if CNS depressant effects occur. ( 2.1 ) ZURZUVAE can be used alone or as an adjunct to oral antidepressant therapy. ( 2.1 ) Severe Hepatic Impairment: Recommended dosage is 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days. ( 2.3 , 8.6 ) Moderate or Severe Renal Impairment: Recommended dosage is 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days. ( 2.4 , 8.7 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of ZURZUVAE is 50 mg taken orally once daily in the evening for 14 days. Administer ZURZUVAE with fat-containing food (e.g., 400 to 1,000 calories, 25% to 50% fat) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . If patients experience CNS depressant effects within the 14-day period, consider reducing the dosage to 40 mg once daily in the evening within the 14-day period. ZURZUVAE can be used alone or as an adjunct to oral antidepressant therapy. The safety and effectiveness of ZURZUVAE use beyond 14 days in a single treatment course have not been established. 2.2 Dosage Modifications for Concomitant Use with CYP3A4 Inducers or CYP3A4 Inhibitors CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with CYP3A4 inducers [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. CYP3A4 Inhibitors Reduce the ZURZUVAE dosage to 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days when used concomitantly with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. No dosage modification is recommended when ZURZUVAE is concomitantly used with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. 2.3 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Hepatic Impairment The recommended dosage of ZURZUVAE in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. The recommended dosage in patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment is the same as those in patients with normal hepatic function. 2.4 Recommended Dosage in Patients with Renal Impairment The recommended dosage of ZURZUVAE in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) is 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. The recommended dosage in patients with mild renal impairment (eGFR 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) is the same as those in patients with normal renal function. 2.5 Recommendations Regarding a Missed Dose If a ZURZUVAE evening dose is missed, take the next dose at the regular time the following evening. Do not take extra capsules on the same day to make up for the missed dose. Continue taking ZURZUVAE once daily until the remainder of the 14-day treatment course is completed.
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Impaired Ability to Drive or Engage in Other Potentially Hazardous Activities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Central Nervous System Depressant Effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo) were somnolence, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infection. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Biogen at 1-844-987-9882 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) was evaluated in two placebo-controlled clinical studies in 347 women with PPD treated with 50 mg of ZURZUVAE (Study 1), or with another zuranolone capsule formulation approximately equivalent to 40 mg of ZURZUVAE (Study 2) once daily for 14 days [Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. The studies included adult patients age 18 to 44 years diagnosed with PPD. Across PPD clinical studies at all doses studied (Studies 1 and 2), serious adverse reactions included confusional state (1%) [Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. In Study 1, the incidence of adverse reactions that led to discontinuation in patients treated with 50 mg of ZURZUVAE and placebo was 2% and 1%, respectively. The most common adverse reaction leading to treatment discontinuation in ZURZUVAE-treated patients was somnolence. Dosage reduction due to an adverse reaction occurred in 14% of ZURZUVAE-treated patients. The most common adverse reactions leading to dosage reduction in ZURZUVAE-treated patients were somnolence (10%) and dizziness (6%). The most common adverse reactions (≥5% and greater than placebo) in ZURZUVAE-treated patients were somnolence, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, and urinary tract infection. Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of patients with PPD treated with 50 mg of ZURZUVAE and at a higher incidence than in patients who received placebo in Study 1. Table 2 Adverse Reactions that Occurred in ≥2% of Patients with PPD Treated with 50 mg of ZURZUVAE and Greater than in Patients Treated with Placebo (Study 1) Adverse Reaction Placebo (N=98) (%) 50 mg of ZURZUVAE (N=98) (%) 1 Somnolence includes sedation and hypersomnia 2 Dizziness includes vertigo 3 Fatigue includes asthenia 4 Abdominal pain includes upper abdominal pain Somnolence 1 6 36 Dizziness 2 9 13 Diarrhea 2 6 Fatigue 3 2 5 Urinary tract infection 4 5 Memory impairment 0 3 Abdominal pain 4 0 3 Tremor 0 2 Hypoesthesia 0 2 Muscle twitching 0 2 Myalgia 0 2 COVID-19 0 2 Anxiety 1 2 Rash 1 2 In Study 2, the incidence of adverse reactions that led to discontinuation in patients who received another zuranolone capsule formulation (approximately equivalent to 40 mg of ZURZUVAE) and placebo was 1% and 0%, respectively. The adverse reaction that led to treatment discontinuation was somnolence. Dosage reduction due to an adverse reaction occurred in 4% of zuranolone-treated patients. The adverse reactions that led to dosage reduction were somnolence and confusional state. The most common (≥5% and greater than placebo) adverse reactions in zuranolone-treated patients were somnolence, nasopharyngitis, dizziness, fatigue, and diarrhea. Table 3 summarizes the adverse reactions that occurred in ≥2% of zuranolone-treated patients with PPD and at a higher incidence than in placebo-treated patients in Study 2. Table 3 Adverse Reactions that Occurred in ≥2% of Patients with PPD Treated with Another Zuranolone Capsule Formulation * and Greater than in Patients Treated with Placebo (Study 2) Adverse Reaction Placebo (N=73) (%) Another Zuranolone Capsule Formulation * (N=78) (%) 1 Somnolence includes sedation 2 Nasopharyngitis includes upper respiratory tract infection 3 Fatigue includes lethargy * This capsule formulation of zuranolone is approximately equivalent to 40 mg of ZURZUVAE. Somnolence 1 11 19 Nasopharyngitis 2 3 9 Dizziness 6 8 Fatigue 3 1 5 Diarrhea 3 5 Dry mouth 0 4 Sinus congestion 0 3 Toothache 0 3
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 4 displays clinically important drug interactions with ZURZUVAE. Table 4 Clinically Important Drug Interactions with ZURZUVAE CNS Depressant Drugs and Alcohol Clinical Impact Due to additive pharmacological effects, the concomitant use of CNS depressant drugs, including alcohol, may increase impairment of psychomotor performance or CNS depressant effects. Management If use with another CNS depressant is unavoidable, consider dosage reduction. Caution should be used when ZURZUVAE is administered in combination with other CNS drugs or alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact Concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the exposure of zuranolone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of ZURZUVAE-associated adverse reactions. Management Reduce the ZURZUVAE dosage when used with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]. CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact Concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with a CYP3A4 inducer decreases the exposure of zuranolone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may reduce the efficacy of ZURZUVAE. Management Avoid concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with CYP3A4 inducers [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )]. CNS Depressants: Concomitant use may increase impairment of psychomotor performance or CNS depressant effects. If use with another CNS depressant is unavoidable, consider dosage reduction. ( 7 ) Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Concomitant use may increase the risk of ZURZUVAE-associated adverse reactions. Reduce the ZURZUVAE dosage to 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days when used concomitantly with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. ( 2.2 , 7 ) CYP3A4 Inducers: Concomitant use may decrease the efficacy of ZURZUVAE. Avoid concomitant use. ( 2.2 , 7 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.