Zurzuvae Drug Information

Generic name: ZURANOLONE

Neuroactive Steroid Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Positive Modulator [EPC]

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Uses of Zurzuvae

ZURZUVAE is indicated for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults.

Dosage & Administration of Zurzuvae

Dosage Modifications for Concomitant Use with CYP3A4 Inducers or CYP3A4 Inhibitors CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with CYP3A4 inducers. 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. No dosage modification is recommended when ZURZUVAE is concomitantly used with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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 of Zurzuvae

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. The studies included adult patients 18 to 44 years of age diagnosed with PPD.

Across PPD clinical studies at all doses studied (Studies 1 and 2), serious adverse reactions included confusional state (1%). The most common adverse reaction leading to treatment discontinuation in ZURZUVAE-treated patients was somnolence. Dosage reduction due to an adverse reaction occurred in 16% 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. 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. Table 3.

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 ReactionPlacebo (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 1636
Dizziness 2913
Diarrhea26
Fatigue 325
Urinary tract infection45
Memory impairment03
Abdominal pain 403
Tremor02
Hypoesthesia02
Muscle twitching02
Myalgia02
COVID-1902
Anxiety12
Rash12
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 ReactionPlacebo (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 11119
Nasopharyngitis 239
Dizziness68
Fatigue 315
Diarrhea35
Dry mouth04
Sinus congestion03
Toothache03

Warnings & Cautions for Zurzuvae

Impaired Ability to Drive or Engage in Other Potentially Hazardous Activities ZURZUVAE causes driving impairment due to central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. In two driving simulation studies, the driving ability of healthy adults was impaired in a dose-dependent manner following repeat nighttime administration of 30 mg of ZURZUVAE (0.6 times the recommended dose) for 5 days as well as 50 mg of ZURZUVAE (recommended dose) for 7 days. Advise patients not to drive a motor vehicle or engage in other potentially hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness, such as operating machinery, until at least 12 hours after ZURZUVAE administration for the duration of the 14-day treatment course.

Inform patients that they may not be able to assess their own driving competence or the degree of driving impairment caused by ZURZUVAE.

Central Nervous System Depressant Effects ZURZUVAE can cause

CNS depressant effects such as somnolence and confusion. In each clinical study, some ZURZUVAE-treated patients developed confusional state. One of these cases was severe, and was also associated with somnolence, dizziness, and gait disturbance.

A higher percentage of ZURZUVAE-treated patients, compared to placebo-treated patients, experienced somnolence, dizziness, or confusion that required dosage reduction, interruption, or discontinuation. Because ZURZUVAE can cause CNS depressant effects, patients may be at higher risk of falls. Other CNS depressants such as alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, or drugs that increase zuranolone concentration, may increase impairment of psychomotor performance or CNS depressant effects such as somnolence, cognitive impairment, and the risk of respiratory depression in ZURZUVAE-treated patients.

To reduce the risk of CNS depressant effects and/or mitigate CNS depressant effects that occur with ZURZUVAE treatment: If patients develop CNS depressant effects, consider dosage reduction or discontinuation of ZURZUVAE. If use with another CNS depressant is unavoidable, consider dosage reduction. Reduce the ZURZUVAE dosage in patients taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior

In pooled analyses of placebo-controlled trials of chronically administered antidepressant drugs (SSRIs and other antidepressant classes) that included approximately 77,000 adult patients and 4,500 pediatric patients, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in antidepressant-treated patients 24 years of age and younger was greater than in placebo-treated patients. There was considerable variation in risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among drugs, but there was an increased risk identified in young patients for most drugs studied. There were differences in absolute risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors across the different indications, with the highest incidence in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

The drug-placebo differences in the number of cases of suicidal thoughts and behaviors per 1000 patients treated are provided in Table 1. Table 1. Risk Differences of the Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients ZURZUVAE does not directly affect monoaminergic systems.

Consider changing the therapeutic regimen, including discontinuing ZURZUVAE, in patients whose depression becomes worse or who experience emergent suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Embryo-fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal studies, ZURZUVAE may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In rodent studies following exposure during gestation or throughout gestation and lactation, adverse effects on development (fetal malformations, embryofetal and offspring mortality, growth deficits) were observed. In addition, neuronal death was observed in rats exposed to zuranolone during a period of brain development that in humans begins during the third trimester of pregnancy and continues during the first few years after birth.

Advise a pregnant woman of the potential risk to an infant exposed to ZURZUVAE in utero. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with ZURZUVAE and for 1 week after the final dose.

Table 1. Risk Differences of the Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors in the Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials of Antidepressants in Pediatric and Adult Patients
Age Range (years)Drug-Placebo Difference in Number of Patients with Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors per 1,000 Patients Treated
ZURZUVAE is not approved in pediatric patients.
Increases Compared to Placebo
<1814 additional patients
18-245 additional patients
Decreases Compared to Placebo
25-641 fewer patient

Drug Interactions with Zurzuvae

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. Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact Concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor increases the exposure of zuranolone, which may increase the risk of ZURZUVAE-associated adverse reactions.

Management Reduce the ZURZUVAE dosage when used with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Impact Concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with a CYP3A4 inducer decreases the exposure of zuranolone, which may reduce the efficacy of ZURZUVAE. Management Avoid concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with CYP3A4 inducers.

Avoid concomitant use.

Table 4. Clinically Important Drug Interactions with ZURZUVAE
CNS Depressant Drugs and Alcohol
Clinical ImpactDue to additive pharmacological effects, the concomitant use of CNS depressant drugs, including alcohol, may increase impairment of psychomotor performance or CNS depressant effects.
ManagementIf 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 ImpactConcomitant 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.
ManagementReduce the ZURZUVAE dosage when used with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )].
CYP3A4 Inducers
Clinical ImpactConcomitant use of ZURZUVAE with a CYP3A4 inducer decreases the exposure of zuranolone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )], which may reduce the efficacy of ZURZUVAE.
ManagementAvoid concomitant use of ZURZUVAE with CYP3A4 inducers [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 )].

Pregnancy Safety for Zurzuvae

Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to antidepressants, including ZURZUVAE, during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register patients by calling the National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants at 1-844-405-6185 or visiting online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/ Risk Summary Based on findings from animal studies, ZURZUVAE may cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

Available data on ZURZUVAE use in pregnant women from the clinical development program are insufficient to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animals, oral administration of zuranolone to pregnant rats during organogenesis resulted in developmental toxicity, including embryofetal death and fetal malformations, with a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) associated with maternal plasma exposures 7 times greater than in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 50 mg. Oral administration of zuranolone to pregnant mice resulted in developmental toxicity, including decreased fetal body weight, reduced skeletal ossification, and fetal malformations with a NOAEL associated with a maternal plasma exposure similar to that in humans at the MRHD.

Oral administration of zuranolone to rats during pregnancy and lactation resulted in developmental toxicity in the offspring, including, perinatal mortality, at maternal exposures similar to that in humans at the MRHD. Developmental toxicity was observed at doses that were also maternally toxic. Neuronal death was observed in rats exposed to zuranolone during a period of brain development that begins during the third trimester of pregnancy in humans and continues up to a few years after birth.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is respectively.

Data Animal Data Oral administration of zuranolone mg/kg/day to pregnant rats during organogenesis resulted in increased incidences of fetal malformations, reductions in embryofetal survival, and reduced fetal body weights as well as maternal mortality and sedation at the highest dose. The no effect dose (7.5 mg/kg/day) for adverse effects on embryofetal development was associated with maternal exposures (AUC) approximately 7 times that in humans at the MRHD of 50 mg. Oral administration of zuranolone mg/kg/day to pregnant mice during organogenesis resulted in maternal dose-dependent sedation which was severe at 300 mg/kg/day.

Adverse reduced body weight in the pregnant dams occurred at 300 mg/kg/day, which was associated with incomplete or no skeletal ossification in the pups. There was an increased incidence of malformations (e.g., cleft palate) at 100 mg/kg/day (4 times the AUC exposure at the MRHD). The NOAEL for embryofetal development was 30 mg/kg/day with maternal exposures (AUC) approximately 1.5 times that in humans at the MRHD.

Oral administration of zuranolone mg/kg/day to rats throughout pregnancy and into lactation resulted in increased perinatal mortality and persistent bodyweight reductions in the offspring at the mid and high doses, which also produced maternal mortality and adverse clinical signs. The no-effect dose (1 mg/kg/day) for adverse effects on pre- and postnatal development in rats was associated with maternal exposures (AUC) approximately 2 times that in the humans at the MRHD. The no-effect dose (2.5 mg/kg) was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) comparable to that in humans at the MRHD.

Brain development on PND 7 in rats corresponds to a period of brain development that begins during the third trimester of pregnancy in humans and continue up to a few years after birth.

Pediatric Use of Zurzuvae

Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of ZURZUVAE in pediatric patients have not been established.

Overdosage Information for Zurzuvae

There was a case of intentional overdose with ZURZUVAE reported during premarketing clinical trials. The patient took 330 mg (6.5 times the maximum recommended dose) of ZURZUVAE and was reported to be in an altered state of consciousness. The event resolved the next day, following treatment with intravenous fluids.

Overdosage with ZURZUVAE may result in excessive CNS depressant effects such as somnolence and disturbance in consciousness. There is no specific antidote for ZURZUVAE overdosage. Consider contacting the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.

Clinical Studies of Zurzuvae

Postpartum Depression

The efficacy of ZURZUVAE for the treatment of postpartum depression (PPD) in adults was demonstrated in two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter studies (Study 1, NCT04442503 and Study 2, NCT02978326) in women with PPD who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for a major depressive episode (DSM-5) with onset of symptoms in the third trimester or within 4 weeks of delivery. In these studies, concomitant use of existing oral antidepressants was allowed for patients taking a stable dose of oral antidepressant for at least 30 days before baseline. These studies included patients with HAMD-17 scores ≥26 at baseline.

In Study 1, patients received 50 mg of ZURZUVAE (N=98) or placebo (N=97) once daily in the evening with fat-containing food for 14 days, with the option to reduce the dosage based on tolerability to 40 mg once daily of ZURZUVAE or placebo. The patients were followed for a minimum of 4 weeks after the 14-day treatment course. In Study 2, patients received another zuranolone capsule formulation (approximately equivalent to 40 mg of ZURZUVAE) (N=76) or placebo (N=74) once daily in the evening with food for 14 days.

Baseline Demographics and Disease Characteristics In Studies 1 and 2, the baseline demographic and disease characteristics of patients were similar between the ZURZUVAE and placebo groups. Baseline use of stable oral antidepressants was reported in 15% of patients. The primary endpoint for Studies 1 and 2 was the change from baseline in depressive symptoms as measured by the HAMD-17 total score at Day 15.

In these studies, patients in the ZURZUVAE groups experienced statistically significantly greater improvement on the primary endpoint compared to patients in the placebo groups, as shown in Table 5. Table 5. The time course of response for 50 mg ZURZUVAE compared to placebo for Study 1 is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3. Mean Change from Baseline in HAM-D Total Score Over Time (Days) in Women with PPD in Study 1 Both phases were double-blind. The primary driving performance outcome measure was the change in Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP) (a measure of driving impairment) in the ZURZUVAE group compared to the placebo group on Days 2 and 8 (after a single dose and repeat doses, respectively).

Study 3 included 67 healthy participants. A single 50 mg dose of ZURZUVAE caused statistically significant impairment in next-morning driving performance compared to placebo. Statistically significant effects on driving were also observed on Day 8 following daily administration of 50 mg of ZURZUVAE.

Administration of 100 mg of ZURZUVAE (twice the maximum recommended dose) on the final night increased impairment in driving ability. The exposure-response analysis for driving impairment in Study 3 suggested that the projected mean placebo-adjusted SDLP at 12 hours post-dose would be less than the threshold associated with driving impairment. The mean effect on driving performance was not statistically significantly different following 30 mg of ZURZUVAE compared to placebo on Day 6; however, driving ability was impaired in some participants taking ZURZUVAE.

Administration of 60 mg of ZURZUVAE (1.2 times the maximum recommended dose) on the final night caused statistically significant impairment in next-morning driving performance compared to placebo.

Table 5. Results for the Primary Endpoint: Change from Baseline in the HAMD-17 Total Score at Day 15 (Studies 1 and 2 in Women with PPD)
HAMD-17: 17-item Hamilton depression rating scale; SD: standard deviation; LS: least squares; SE: standard error; CI: confidence interval
This capsule formulation of zuranolone is approximately equivalent to 40 mg of ZURZUVAE.
Study NumberTreatment GroupNMean Baseline Score (SD)LS Mean Change from Baseline (SE)Placebo- subtracted Difference (95% CI)
150 mg of ZURZUVAE9828.6 (2.49)-15.6 (0.82)-4.0 (-6.3, -1.7)
Placebo9728.8 (2.34)-11.6 (0.82)
2Zuranolone (another capsule formulation)7628.4 (2.09)-17.8 (1.04)-4.2 (-6.9, -1.5)
Placebo7428.8 (2.32)-13.6 (1.07)

Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.

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