Efficacy of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid in bipolar depression: Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled study
Open accessAbstract
Background: Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that increased intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alleviates unipolar depression. Aims: To examine the efficacy of EPA in treating depression in bipolar disorder. Method: In a 12-week, double-blind study individuals with bipolar depression were randomly assigned to adjunctive treatment with placebo (n=26) or with 1g/day (n=24) or 2 g/day (n=25) of ethyl-EPA. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), with changes in the Young Mania Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) as secondary outcome measures. Results: There was no apparent benefit of 2g over 1g ethyl-EPA daily. Significant improvement was noted with ethyl-EPA treatment compared with placebo in the HRSD (P=0.04) and the CGI (P=0.004) scores. Both doses were well tolerated. Conclusions: Adjunctive ethyl-EPA is an effective and well-tolerated intervention in bipolar depression.
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In patients with bipolar depression, ethyl eicosapentaenoic acid (1 g or 2 g/day) for 3 months showed significant improvements compared to placebo.
“A double-blind study of patients with bipolar depression taking 1 g or 2 g of ethyl eicosapentaenoic a day for a period of 3 months has shown significant improvements compare to placebo (Frangou et al. 2006).”
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- Authors
- Frangou, S., Lewis, M., & McCrone, P.
- Affiliations
- King's College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Frangou, Sophia
- Venue
- British Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Published
- 2006-01
- Volume
- 188
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 46-50
- ISSN
- 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
- 1472-1465
- OpenAlex
- W2162066663
- Cited by
- 309
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 19.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Bipolar Disorder and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- eicosapentaenoic acid, bipolar depression, omega-3 fatty acids, adjunctive therapy, omega-3 supplementation, depression severity, mania, tolerability
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Analysis of Variance, Bipolar Disorder, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Antipsychotic Agents, Eicosapentaenoic Acid, Treatment Outcome
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