title: A systematic review and meta-analysis of lithium augmentation of tricyclic and second generation antidepressants in major depression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lithium augmentation of antidepressants for treatment of unipolar major depression was one of the first adjunctive strategies based on a neuropharmacologic rationale. Randomized controlled trials supported its efficacy but most trials added lithium to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Despite its efficacy, use of lithium augmentation remains infrequent. The current systematic review and meta-analysis examines the efficacy of lithium augmentation as an adjunct to second generation antidepressants as well as to TCAs and considers reasons for its infrequent use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic search of Medline and the Cochrane Clinical Trials database was performed. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials of lithium augmentation were selected. A fixed-effects meta-analysis was performed. Odds ratios for response were calculated for each treatment-control contrast, for the trials grouped by type of initial antidepressant (TCA or second generation antidepressant), and as a meta-analytic summary for all treatments combined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine trials that included 237 patients were selected. The odds ratio for response to lithium vs. placebo in all contrasts combined was 2.89 (95% CI 1.65, 5.05, z=3.72, p=0.0002). Heterogeneity was very low, I(2)=0%. Adjunctive lithium was effective with TCAs (7 contrasts) and with second generation agents (3 contrasts). Discontinuation due to adverse events was infrequent and did not differ between lithium and placebo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The meta-analysis is limited by the small size and number of trials and limited data for treatment resistant patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adjunctive lithium appears to be as effective for second generation antidepressants as it was for the tricyclics.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, 401 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0984, San Francisco, CA 94143-0984, United States. Electronic address: CraigN@lppi.ucsf.edu.
authors: J Craig
authors: JC
authors: Nelson
authors: Dépt de Psychiatrie-CHUV (DP-CHUV), Site de Cery, CH-1008 Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Pierre
authors: P
authors: Baumann
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco, United States.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Delucchi
authors: Psychiatry, LIJ North Shore Hofstra University School of Medicine, United States.
authors: Russell
authors: R
authors: Joffe
authors: Division of Psychiatry, University College London, Medical Director, Helen Bamber Foundation, London, UK.
authors: Cornelius
authors: C
authors: Katona
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D018020:Lithium Compounds
keywords: Lithium augmentation; Major depression