Zurzuvae (zuranolone)

Antidepressant Neuroactive Steroid GABA-A Receptor Modulator Oral Capsule

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Zuranolone, a neuroactive steroid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator, is an antidepressant.

Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor positive modulator. The mechanism of action of zuranolone in the treatment of postpartum depression is not fully understood, but is thought to be related to its positive allosteric modulation of GABAA receptors.

Zuranolone exposure (maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and AUC) increases approximately dose proportionally with doses ranging from 30 mg to 60 mg with a moderate-fat meal (700 calories, 30% fat). Once-daily administration of zuranolone results in accumulation of approximately 1.5-fold in systemic exposures, and steady state is achieved in 3 to 5 days. Following oral administration, peak zuranolone concentrations (Tmax) occur at 5 to 6 hours.

The absolute bioavailability of zuranolone has not been evaluated. Following oral administration of zuranolone with a low-fat meal (400--500 calories, 25% fat), the Cmax increases by approximately 3.5-fold and the AUClast increases by approximately 1.8-fold compared to fasting conditions. Following oral administration of zuranolone with a high-fat meal (800 to 1,000 calories, 50% fat), Cmax increases by approximately 4.3-fold and the AUClast increases by approximately 2-fold compared to fasting conditions.

The Tmax is not affected by food. Plasma protein binding of zuranolone is >99.5%. The terminal half-life of zuranolone is approximately 19.7 to 24.6 hours.

Zuranolone undergoes extensive metabolism, with cytochrome P-450 3A4 as a primary enzyme involved. There are no circulating metabolites greater than 10% of total drug-related materials, and none is considered to contribute to the therapeutic effects of zuranolone. Following oral administration of zuranolone, 45% of the dose is recovered in the urine as metabolites with negligible unchanged drug and 41% of the dose is recovered in the feces as metabolites with less than 2% as unchanged drug.

Black or African American patients have a 14% higher mean apparent clearance compared to patients of other races.

USES: This medication is used to treat a certain type of depression (postpartum depression). Zuranolone is thought to work by affecting the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

Generic name: zuranolone
Pronunciation: (zoo-RAN-oh-lone)
Drug class: Antidepressant Neuroactive Steroid GABA-A Receptor Modulator
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Zurzuvae:

  • Postpartum Depression

Also known as: Postnatal Depression, Puerperal Depression.

Dosing

When used concomitantly with a strong cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor, reduce the zuranolone dosage to 30 mg orally once daily in the evening for 14 days.

No dosage modification is recommended when zuranolone is used concomitantly with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.

Avoid concomitant use of zuranolone with CYP3A4 inducers.

If patients experience CNS depressant effects within the 14-day treatment period, consider reducing the dosage of zuranolone to 40 mg orally once daily in the evening.

Drug interactions

Zuranolone is a substrate of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A4.

Zuranolone is not an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, or CYP3A4. Zuranolone is not an inducer of CYP1A2, CYP2B6, or CYP3A4 at the therapeutic dosage range.

Zuranolone is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), organic anion transporter polypeptide (OATP) 1B1, or OATP1B3. Zuranolone does not inhibit P-gp, BCRP, bile salt export pump (BSEP), OATP1B1, OATP1B3, organic anion transporter (OAT) 1, OAT2, organic cation transporter (OCT) 1, OCT2, multidrug and toxin extrusion (MATE) 1 or MATE2.

Contraindications

*None.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse effects of zuranolone (>=5% of patients) reported in clinical studies include somnolence, dizziness, diarrhea, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, and urinary tract infection.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Postpartum depression
F53.0ICD10CMPostpartum depression

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data