Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Borderline Personality Disorder

The University of Chicago

Status and phase: Terminated; Phase 2

Conditions: Borderline Personality Disorder

Treatments: Drug: Escitalopram

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01103180

MH084904

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram (also known by the trade name "Lexapro") in reducing desire to self-harm and actual self-harming among young adults with borderline personality disorder who are also currently depressed. Subjects will receive either escitalopram or placebo for eight weeks. During this time subjects will be make weekly visits to see the psychiatrist and record their thoughts and feelings several times each day using an electronic diary.

Enrollment: 70 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder
• Current Major Depression

Exclusion criteria

• Past 2 months SSRI use
• Past 6 months non-SSRI antidepressant use
• Past 2 months initiation of psychotherapy
• Lifetime bipolar disorder, organic disorder, psychotic disorder
• Current alcohol or drug dependence
• Current severe suicidal / homicidal ideation necessitating immediate medical intervention
• Currently pregnancy or nursing
• Unable or unwilling to cooperate with study protocol

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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70 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Escitalopram

Experimental group

Description:

10-20 mg of escitalopram for eight weeks (10mg for the first 2 weeks, 20mg thereafter)

Treatment:

Drug: Escitalopram

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Inert placebo (sugar pill) taken daily for eight weeks

Treatment:

Drug: Escitalopram