Randomized, placebo-controlled study of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid as supplemental treatment in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (E-EPA) as add-on treatment in chronic, severe schizophrenia.


METHODS
A randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, add-on study was conducted over 12 weeks. Forty patients with persistent symptoms after at least 6 months of stable antipsychotic treatment received E-EPA or placebo, in addition to their existing treatment.


RESULTS
At 12 weeks, the E-EPA group had significantly greater reduction of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores and of dyskinesia scores than the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
EPA may be an effective and well-tolerated add-on treatment in schizophrenia.
Emsley
Robin
R
Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa. rae@sun.ac.za
Myburgh
Christo
C
Oosthuizen
Pieter
P
van Rensburg
Susan J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid