Ethyl Eicosapentanoic Acid (Ethyl-EPA) for Treating Major Depression

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Depression; Depressive Disorder

Treatments: Drug: Ethyl-eicosapentanoic acid (ethyl-EPA)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: NIH

Identifiers

NCT00096798

K23AT001129

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of ethyl-eicosapentanoic acid (ethyl-EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, in treating depression.

Full description

Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce symptoms of depression. This study will determine whether ethyl-EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, can be used safely and effectively to treat major depression.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either ethyl EPA-containing pills or placebo daily for 8 weeks. Each week, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires which will be used to assess the severity of their depression.

Enrollment: 80 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Major depressive disorder

Exclusion criteria

• Serious comorbid psychiatric disorder
• Unstable medical illness
• Prior use of any omega-3 fatty acid product

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind