A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 2 studies with a total of 34 subjects. The participants were randomised to either oxcarbazepine (n=12) or lithium (n=13). Four participants were included separately in a non-random group and were offered oxcarbazepine, and five other participants were treated with oxcarbazepine after unsatisfactory treatment or if they had severe side-effects with lithium. In the other study, a thirty six month follow up was planned, but all patients dropped out prior to that. The other study reported high discontinuation rates in participants on oxcarbazepine (67%) and lower rates for patients on lithium (33%). No further conclusions could be drawn on the basis of these two poor-quality studies.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment, more than 20% loss to follow up) and by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals).
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