Pharmacological interventions for borderline personality disorder.

Study answer

What this study found

No medication demonstrated a significant reduction in overall borderline personality disorder severity. Some single trials reported symptom-specific benefits for aripiprazole, olanzapine, topiramate, valproate semisodium, and lamotrigine, but these findings were based on a small and fragile evidence base. Antidepressants generally did not show reliable benefit, while omega-3 fatty acids improved suicidality in one trial. Olanzapine was associated with weight gain and other adverse effects, whereas topiramate was linked to weight loss; polypharmacy is not supported.

Study & population

Systematic review of randomized trials in adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder using DSM criteria.

Intervention

This review evaluated a broad range of oral pharmacologic treatments for borderline personality disorder rather than a single standardized regimen.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small, heterogeneous, and often limited to single trials for a given drug.

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Original abstract