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Borderline Personality Disorder - Medications
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
Medicines may be used to try to reduce symptoms of borderline personality disorder, such as impulsive behavior or depression. Often a combination of medicines may be the best treatment.
Medication Choices
The most commonly prescribed medicines for borderline personality disorder are:
- 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 on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 14, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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