FDA clears first digital treatment for depression, but experts caution that research is still early

Rejoyn, made by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Click Therapeutics, is a smartphone app intended for use alongside antidepressant medications for people 22 and older who have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. It employs a six-week program that combines a new approach called cognitive-emotional training and cognitive behavioral therapy lessons, according to a news release.

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in the US. About 18% of American adults - more than 1 in 6 - say they are depressed or receiving treatment for depression, a 2023 Gallup report found. Research has also found that up to 30% of people who take antidepressant medications are partial responders, meaning they continue to have depressive symptoms while using the drugs.

Dr. John Torous, director of the Division of Digital Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who was not involved in the development of Rejoyn, said that this cognitive-emotional training approach is not a well-established mechanism and that the research is still exploratory. Torous said that while it is important to note that the trial did not prove that Rejoyn has a statistically significant benefit, the app is also not designed to be a standalone treatment.

Rejoyn will require a prescription for download and will become available in late 2024, according to the news release. Otsuka said it will make try to make the tool "accessible and affordable" but did not specify the price.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

FDA approves first drug to treat yeast ear infections in dogsThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug to treat yeast ear infections in dogs.
Source: physorg_com - 🏆 388. / 55 Read more »

FDA Approves First Drug for MASHResmetirom, a thyroid hormone receptor beta-selective agonist, is the first FDA-approved medication for MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis.
Source: Medscape - 🏆 386. / 55 Read more »

FDA approves the first drug for life-threatening liver diseaseMadrigal Pharmaceuticals' new drug has become the first drug approved by the US FDA to treat NASH, a fatty liver disease.
Source: IntEngineering - 🏆 287. / 63 Read more »

FDA Approves First Drug for Common, Serious Liver DiseaseMillions of Americans whose livers develop scar tissue due to a common disease now have the first approved drug, Rezdiffra, to treat the condition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday.
Source: MedicineNet - 🏆 575. / 51 Read more »

In an unusual move, FDA postpones approval decision for Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drugBerkeley Lovelace Jr. is a health and medical reporter for NBC News. He covers the Food and Drug Administration, with a special focus on Covid vaccines, prescription drug pricing and health care. He previously covered the biotech and pharmaceutical industry with CNBC.
Source: NBCNewsHealth - 🏆 707. / 51 Read more »

Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's drug delayed by FDA: ‘It was unexpected’On Friday, the FDA announced it would postpone a decision on Eli Lilly's potential Alzheimer's treatment donanemab.
Source: FOX10Phoenix - 🏆 83. / 68 Read more »