Allopregnanolone is a naturally occurring neurosteroid which is made in the body from the hormone progesterone.As a medication, allopregnanolone is referred to as brexanolone, sold under the brand name Zulresso,and used to treat postpartum depression. It is used by injection into a vein over a 60-hour period under medical supervision.
Side effects of brexanolone may include sedation, sleepiness, dry mouth, hot flashes, and loss of consciousness.It is a neurosteroid and acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, the major biological target of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Brexanolone was approved for medical use in the United States in 2019.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication.The long administration time, as well as the cost for a one-time treatment, have raised concerns about accessibility for many women.
