title: Asenapine in the treatment of borderline personality disorder: an atypical antipsychotic alternative.
abstract: Many individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) receive medical treatment in clinical practice, although to date, there are no drugs specifically available for BPD. The recent Cochrane guideline suggests a benefit from using second-generation antipsychotics such as olanzapine or aripiprazole; nevertheless, side effects limit their use. Asenapine is a novel FDA-approved atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, it has not yet been tested for BPD. The goal of this observational open-label study was to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of asenapine in a series of cases of patients with BPD. Twelve individuals with BPD were recruited and treated with asenapine during an 8-week period. Eight individuals completed the study; a significant improvement was observed in the CGI-BPD (P<0.001) and BSL-23 (P<0.048) scales for BPD symptomatology. Besides, there was a significant improvement in the general psychopathology domains (BPRS, P<0.004), whereas no significant differences were observed in depressive symptoms. No serious adverse effects were reported and a significant weight reduction was observed (P=0.002). Asenapine appears to be a safe and effective agent in the treatment of patients with BPD, especially when other alternatives are not tolerated. These preliminary findings should be replicated in a controlled clinical trial.
authors: aDepartment of Psychiatry, Santa Creu and Sant Pau Hospital bUniversitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) cCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM dInstitut d'Investigació Biomèdica-Sant Pau (IIB-SANT PAU), Barcelona eBorderline Personality Disorder Unit, General de Catalunya Hospital, Sant Cugat, Spain.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Martín-Blanco
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Patrizi
authors: Laia
authors: L
authors: Villalta
authors: Xero
authors: X
authors: Gasol
authors: Joaquim
authors: J
authors: Soler
authors: Miquel
authors: M
authors: Gasol
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Pascual
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D005260:Female; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D006576:Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; C522667:asenapine