Eight placebo-controlled RCTs (with or without active comparator) of CBZ (1,620 patients).
Fifteen RCTs (active comparator) of CBZ (918 patients).
Thirteen placebo-controlled RCTs (with or without active comparator) of TBZ (2,403 patients).
Fourteen RCTs (active comparator) of TBZ (876 patients).
CBZ in major depression: no RCT found CBZ statistically superior to placebo.
Two out of 3 RCTs found TCA was superior to CBZ.
TBZ in major depression: TBZ was found superior to placebo in 8 out of 11 RCTs.
TCA was superior to TBZ in 10 out of 19 studies; no difference was found in the remaining 9 RCTs, in which most of the patients had major depression without melancholia.
TBZ versus CBZ in major depression: 2 out of 3 RCTs found TBZ was superior to CBZ.
Minor depression: CBZ was superior to placebo in 2 out of 5 RCTs; TCA was superior to CBZ in 10 out of 18 RCTs, and no difference was found in 7 out of 18 RCTs.
When symptom response was considered, TCAs were superior to CBZ in alleviating 'core' symptoms of major depression, and were possibly superior to TBZs.
Inconclusive results were found for the effectiveness of combined therapy.