Work

Updated guidelines for pharmacologic treatment of perinatal depression: Understanding medication options

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The 2023 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guideline on perinatal mental health conditions recommends prescribing and titrating pharmacotherapy for perinatal depression, with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors sertraline and escitalopram as first-line medications for patients who have not previously taken any medications for mood disorders. A subsequent ACOG Clinical Practice Update addresses zuranolone for postpartum depression. The authors present an overview of the guideline's recommendations on pharmacotherapy for treating perinatal depression and summarize actionable recommendations for nonpsychiatric clinicians.

Source: Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine

DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.93a.25052

Authors: Rebeca Ortiz Worthington, Zehra Aftab, Nicole Leong, Jason Alexander

Institution: University of Chicago

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7147542656