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The treatment usually involves psychotherapy. However, a doctor may prescribe medications to help treat specific symptoms, such as depression. BPD can cause extreme mood shifts, impulsivity, and low self-esteem. It affects a person’s ability to maintain healthy relationships with others. Several treatment strategies, including psychotherapy and medications, may help a person with BPD. This article reviews some of the medications that can help treat the symptoms associated with BPD. Do doctors prescribe medication to treat BPD Share on PinterestMichela Ravasio/StocksyThere is no approved drug to treat BPD in the United States or Europe, and according to a 2020 review, the current evidence does not support the use of medications to treat BPD. Instead, the National Institute of Mental Health states that the first-line treatment for BPD is psychotherapy. However, doctors may prescribe medications to treat the symptoms associated with the condition, such as mood shifts and depression. A doctor may prescribe medications that fall under the following categories:antidepressantsantipsychoticsmood stabilizers These medications can help treat:anxietysleep disturbancesdepressionpsychotic symptoms Antidepressants A study from 2016 notes that major depressive disorder and dysthymia are the conditions that most commonly occur alongside BPD. Dysthymia refers to mild, persistent depression. The authors of a 2020 review state that antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications for BPD. A doctor may prescribe:selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)tricyclic antidepressantstetracyclic antidepressantsmonoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) However, MAOIs are not well-tolerated and can cause adverse reactions. According to an older article from 2013, SSRIs may effectively treat anxiety and depression, but they do not have an effect on impulsivity and aggression. Antidepressants can take 4–8 weeks to start working, and the optimal dosage will vary depending on the person and their symptoms. Antipsychotics Antipsychotics are medications that doctors typically prescribe to people with psychosis but may sometimes prescribe to individuals with BPD. Antipsychotics may help treat:anxietyimpulsivityparanoid thoughtsanger or hostility Examples of antipsychotics include:ziprasidone (Geodon)aripiprazole (Abilify)quetiapine (Seroquel)risperidone (Risperdal)olanzapine (Zyprexa) It can take up to 6 weeks before a person notices the effects of antipsychotic medication. Mood stabilizers Doctors often prescribe mood stabilizers to help people with BPD manage periods of mania. Some studies have shown the effectiveness of these drugs in helping the person regulate their emotions and impulse control. Examples include:lamotrigine topiramatesodium valproate The person’s characteristics, overall health, and symptoms will determine the dosage. Can anxiolytics help Anxiety can be challenging to treat in those with BPD. Anxiolytics are a type of medication that doctors use to treat anxiety and its symptoms. A common type of anxiolytics is benzodiazepines. Some examples include:alprazolam (Xanax)diazepam (Valium)lorazepam (Ativan)clonazepam (Klonopin) Benzodiazepines work quickly and may relieve anxiety in the short term. However, they carry a risk of dependency. They can also cause the following side effects:dizzinessdrowsinessmemory problemslightheadednessmuscle weaknessunsteadiness slurred speechconfusion Another common form of anxiolytic that works slightly differently is buspirone (formerly available as Buspar). Buspirone may take 3–4 weeks to start working effectively. People generally use it to treat long-term anxiety. SSRIs Although SSRIs are a type of antidepressant, a doctor may prescribe them to help treat anxiety in those with BPD. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of SSRIs to treat anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. Omega-3 fatty acids According to a 2021 meta-analysis in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, taking marine omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce the severity of BPD symptoms, such as impulsivity and the inability to regulate emotions. A person can find marine omega-3 fatty acids in fish, such as:salmonmackereltunasardinesherring Another option is to take marine omega-3 dietary supplements, which include:fish oilkrill oilcod liver oil The researchers state that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial as an add-on therapy. However, these fats cannot replace psychotherapy or other medications that a doctor may prescribe. A person should speak with a doctor if they would like to take omega-3 fatty acids for BPD. Considerations Medications are not the first-line treatment for BPD. There is limited evidence to support the use of medications to treat BPD, and they can result in adverse side effects. Therapy is the primary treatment for BPD, and a person should schedule regular sessions with the therapist. If a doctor has prescribed medications for BPD, a person should let the doctor know if they experience any side effects. It is also important to remember that it can take several weeks for medications to take effect. Medications will not cure BPD, and a person will need ongoing care. Paying for medication Paying for medication can be expensive. If a person does not have health insurance, they may find it helpful to speak with a doctor or pharmacist. These professionals may be able to provide a generic substitute or recommend different medications. Some clinics may offer reduced cost or free medications. Individuals looking for more assistance can try to contact one of the following organizations for help:PAN FoundationRxHopePharmacyCheckerNeedyMeds Summary BPD is a severe mental health condition that results in the inability to regulate emotions. Currently, the FDA has not approved any medications to treat BPD, for which the primary treatment is psychotherapy. However, a doctor may prescribe the following medications to help treat specific symptoms of BPD:antidepressantsantipsychoticsmood stabilizers A person may also find that taking marine omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the severity of their symptoms. Last medically reviewed on September 20, 2022Mental HealthPharmacy / Pharmacist 11 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Borderline personality disorder. (2022). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/borderline-personality-disorderChanen, A. M., et al. (2016). Prescribing and borderline personality disorder. https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/prescribing-and-borderline-personality-disorder-1Chapman, J., et al. (2022). Borderline personality disorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430883/Chu, A., et al. (2022). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/Fertuck, E. A., et al. (2016). The specificity of mental pain in borderline personality disorder compared to depressive disorders and healthy controls. https://bpded.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40479-016-0036-2Karaszewska, D. M., et al. (2021). Marine omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for borderline personality disorder: A meta-analysis [Abstract]. https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/personality/marine-omega-3-fatty-acid-supplementation-borderline-personality-disorder-meta-analysis/Mental health medications. (2022). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medicationsOmega-3 fatty acids: Fact sheet for consumers. (2022). https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/Ripoll, L. H. (2013). Psychopharmacologic treatment of borderline personality disorder. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3811092/Stoffers-Winterling, J., et al. (2020). Pharmacotherapy for borderline personality disorder: An update of published, unpublished and ongoing studies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7275094/Timäus, C., et al. (2019). Pharmacotherapy of borderline personality disorder: What has changed over two decades? A retrospective evaluation of clinical practice.https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-019-2377-zFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Yalda Safai, MD, MPH — By Jenna Fletcher on September 20, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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