13 June, 2006 02:02 GMT
SAD is characterized by recurrent major depressive episodes that usually coincide with the seasonal decrease of daylight during autumn and winter.
The
Food and Drug Administration said Monday it has OK'd Glaxo's Wellbutrin XL for a first-of-its kind use: seasonal depression.
FDA said it has approved the expanded use of GlaxoSmithKline's antidepressant drug for the prevention of major depressive episodes in patients with a history of so-called seasonal affective disorder.
SAD is characterized by recurrent major depressive episodes that usually coincide with the seasonal decrease of daylight during autumn and winter, the FDA said in a statement, adding that the depressive episodes can last as long as six months.
Lessens Symptoms
The agency said patients who suffer from the seasonal condition can get major depression at other times of the year, but the true SAD patient is one whose number of seasonal episodes substantially outnumbers the non-seasonal episodes.
Seasonal affective disorder can significantly impair the quality of life of patients with this condition, said Steven Galson, director of the FDA's
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Today's approval can help patients with this condition to avoid the depressive symptoms and impaired functioning that typically affect them in the fall and winter, he said.
Wellbutrin XL is already approved for treatment of major depressive disorder.
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