Is earlier the better with parenteral nutrition among critically ill patients in whom caloric targets cannot be met by enteral nutrition alone? The EPANIC trial compared early versus late initiation of parenteral nutrition in critically ill adults who could not meet their nutritional needs with enteral feeding alone. In this multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT), patients were assigned to receive PN either within 24 h of ICU admission (early group) or after 7 days (late group). The study found no significant difference in the primary outcome of 90-day mortality between the two groups. Additionally, the early PN group had more infections and complications associated with nutrition delivery. The trial suggests that delaying PN for up to 7 days in critically ill patients does not compromise survival and may reduce complications associated with early parenteral feeding.