Neuroleptics, otherwise known as antipsychotics, are commonly prescribed to address specific symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD). In addition to psychosis, these medications address a range of symptoms that include acute anger, self-injury, assaultive behavior, hostility, ideas of reference, paranoia, recurrent suicidal behavior, impulsivity, anxiety, and depression.
Due to the level of effectiveness, neuroleptics are seen as the "treatment of choice" for treating the cognitive-perceptual symptoms of BPD.
Neuroleptics are generally divisible into two categories: typical and atypical neuroleptics.
Typical Neuroleptics
Typical Neuroleptics refer to the older antipsychotic medications that work by blocking various dopamine receptors in the brain, thus lowering dopamine levels and lessening the incidence of psychotic symptoms.
These neuroleptics also are also known to have potential muscle-related symptoms called extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) such as tardive dyskinesia.
Typical Neuroleptics:
- Haldol (Haloperidol)
- Trilafon (Perphenazine)
- Navane (Thiothixene)
- Loxitane (Loxapine)
- Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)
- Stelazine (Trifluoperazine)
- Mellaril (Thioridazine) Note that Mellaril has the lowest incidence of EPS symptoms of any of the typical neuroleptics.
There are additional typical neuroleptics that are not listed in this article. To find out about a specific drug, About.com's Drug Finder can be a useful tool.
Atypical Neuroleptics
Atypical neuroleptics are a category of newer medications (1990) that treat the symptoms of psychosis, but have significantly fewer side effects than typical neuroleptics, specifically EPS side effects. These medications are commonly referred to as "second-generation antipsychotics".
Atypical Neuroleptics- Abilify (Aripiprazole)
- Clozaril (Clozapine) - Clozaril requires blood tests every-other-week for the first several months due to the potential for a serious side effect, agranulocytosis. This is a blood disorder that causes the loss of white blood cells. As a result, Clozaril is generally not used as a first-line treatment.
- Geodon (Ziprasidone)
- Invega Extended-Release Tablets
- Risperdal (Risperidone)
- Seroquel (Quetiapine)
- Symbyax (Olanzapine/Fluoxetine) This medication is a combination of an SSRI and an atypical neuroleptic, and is the only such combination medication approved by the FDA.
- Zyprexa (Olanzapine)
