Is a single tricyclic antidepressant trial an active treatment for psychotic depression?

1. A retrospective chart review of 256 consecutively admitted depressed inpatients assessed their treatment response to optimal somatic therapy. 2. There were no differences in treatment response between patients with Major Depressive Episode (MD) and Major Depression with Psychosis (MD-P). 3. In addition, twenty-six studies were reviewed to clarify the role of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) in the treatment of MD-P. The authors conclude from this literature review that TCA's should not be considered an active treatment for MD-P patients.