Borderline Personality Disorder: Medications

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Medications

Medicines may be used to try to reduce symptoms of borderline personality disorder, such as impulsive behavior or depression. Often a combination of different medicines may be the best treatment.

Medication Choices

The most commonly prescribed medicines for borderline personality disorder are:^{2 6}

• Antidepressants, which may help reduce anger, irritability, impulsive behaviors, and depression. Those most often prescribed for these behaviors are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and similar medicines.
• Mood stabilizers, which may help control impulsive behaviors and anger.
• Atypical antipsychotics, which are sometimes used to help reduce impulsive and reckless behavior.

What To Think About

It may take several weeks for medicines to become effective. You may need to try more than one medicine before you find the one that is right for you. Your doctor may also prescribe a combination of medicines to reduce your symptoms.

FDA Advisory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory to families and health professionals to closely watch for warning signs of suicide in all adults and children taking antidepressants. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.

The FDA also advises that people taking antidepressants be observed for increases in anxiety, panic attacks, agitation, irritability, insomnia, impulsivity, hostility, and mania. It is most important to watch for these behaviors in children, who may be less able to control their impulsivity as much as adults and therefore may be at greater risk for suicidal impulses. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for warning signs of suicide. If concerns arise, contact a health professional.

Last updated:	March 26, 2007
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC