Effect of zinc supplementation on antidepressant therapy and serum zinc level in unipolar depression: a double–blind randomized controlled study

Dr. Dileep Kumar Verma; Dr.Basudeb  Das; Dr. Sourav Khanra

Volume : IX, Issue : II, February - 2020

Effect of zinc supplementation on antidepressant therapy and serum zinc level in unipolar depression: a double–blind randomized controlled study

Dr. Dileep Kumar Verma, Dr. Basudeb Das, Dr. Sourav Khanra

Abstract :

Background: Recent studies have shown importance of zinc in pathogenesis of depression. However, literature on efficacy of adjunctive zinc supplementation for unipolar depression is conflicting. Aims: The aim of our study was to assess effectiveness of adjunctive zinc in depression and to assess difference in serum zinc levels before and after treatment. Methods: Sixty drug na�ve or drug free (for ≥2 weeks) subjects having diagnosis of unipolar depression (including recurrent depressive disorder) were recruited and allocated into two groups by simple random sampling. Both groups were assessed with HAM–D, BDI, BSSI and HAM–A. Subjects and raters were blinded to groups. Serum zinc level was assessed. Twenty milligrams of elemental zinc were given daily along with treatment as usual and the other group received treatment as usual only. Assessments were done at baseline and repeated at 2, 4 & 8 weeks. Results and conclusion: No significant difference was found between zinc group and treatment as usual group in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms. Our study concluded that adjunctive zinc supplementation along with antidepressants have no adjunctive effect on improvement in the severity of depression.