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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Safety of the omega-3 fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in psychiatric patients: Results from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Psychiatry Research, Volume 161, No. 3, Year 2008
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Description
Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are increasingly being used by psychiatric patients. Most studies have concentrated on efficacy aspects, while little is known about their safety and tolerability in psychiatric populations. This study aimed to assess the effects of EPA treatment on body mass, glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, prolactin secretion, bleeding time, haematology and liver functions. Eighty-four subjects with schizophrenia were treated with either EPA 2 g/day or placebo in addition to their antipsychotic medication for 12 weeks, in a randomized, controlled trial. Forty-seven entered a 40-week open-label extension phase of EPA 2 g/day. Seventy-four patients were included in the analysis. Six patients discontinued from the EPA group and 14 in the placebo group. Adverse event reporting was similar for the two groups. While there were no significant between-group differences, in the blinded phase the EPA group showed a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) and bleeding time. In the open-label extension, there was again a modest increase in BMI. Total cholesterol and HDL levels were significantly decreased. EPA 2 g/day is generally well tolerated. Clinicians should be aware of possible increases in bleeding time, as well as changes in weight and lipid metabolism. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Emsley, Robin Alexander
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Niehaus, Dana J.H.
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Oosthuizen, Piet Paulus
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Koen, Liezl
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Ascott-Evans, Brynne H.
South Africa, Cape Town
Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Chiliza, Bonginkosi
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
van Rensburg, Susan Janse
South Africa, Johannesburg
National Health Laboratory Service
Smit, Retha M.
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Statistics
Citations: 54
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.psychres.2007.06.029
ISSN:
01651781
Research Areas
Mental Health