Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) balance brain
chemicals called
neurotransmitters. Balancing these brain chemicals can
relieve symptoms of
borderline personality disorder such as irritability,
anger, impulsive behavior, and depression.
Some examples of SSRIs that may be used to treat borderline
personality disorder are:
- Sertraline (Zoloft).
- Fluoxetine
(such as Prozac).
- Paroxetine (Paxil).
- Fluvoxamine (such
as Luvox).
- Citalopram (such as Celexa).
- Escitalopram
(Lexapro).
SSRIs are often the first medicine used to treat borderline
personality disorder because they often are effective and have few side
effects.1
Side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
include:
- Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, or weight
gain.
- Anxiety or irritability.
- Problems sleeping or
drowsiness.
- Loss of sexual desire or ability.
- Headaches
or dizziness.
SSRIs can take several weeks to start working, although they may be
effective sooner.
Never suddenly stop taking antidepressants.
Many antidepressants should be tapered off slowly and only under the
supervision of a doctor. Abruptly stopping antidepressant medicines can cause
negative side effects or a return of symptoms of borderline personality
disorder.
FDA Advisories. 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.
- A warning
about taking triptans, used for headaches, with SSRIs (selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors). Taking these medicines together can cause a very rare but serious
condition called serotonin syndrome.
Citations
American Psychiatric Association (2001). Practice
guidelines for the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder.
American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(10): 1-52.
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