Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, Abilify®(aripiprazole), is used to treat mental illnesses such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome. The drug has been a bestseller—netting $8 billion dollars in sales and reaching 6.5 million prescriptions. Yet despite its widespread use, reports have linked the drug with compulsive behavior in patients, including pathological gambling and hypersexual activity.
Current Abilify lawsuits being filed claim the manufacturers failed to warn doctors and patients that the drug could cause these compulsive behaviors. The Plymale Law Firm is accepting clients who took Abilify and began experiencing pathological casino gambling.
The claims pending against the manufacturers of Abilify, Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb, state the companies were negligent in the design of Abilify, and then hid evidence from the government and public of the increased risks of patients’ developing compulsive urges.
Court documents state the two drug makers failed to properly test Abilify, exaggerated the benefits of the drug, and encouraged physicians to use the medication for purposes not approved by the FDA.
Abilify has been linked to pathological gambling, shopping, eating and sex. This addictive behavior has been found to start almost immediately upon taking Abilify, and stop once the patient is switched to another medicine. The obsessive behavior caused by Abilify is such that the person develops an uncontrollable urge to perform an act (such as, gambling), and cannot resist the desire. The person will continue to do the act even if it’s causing him or her personal, social and financial injuries.
Side Effects
The most common side effects from Abilify include the following:
- Anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drooling
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight gain
If you or someone you love took Abilify and suffered from compulsive gambling or hypersexual behavior, the drug injury lawyers at Plymale Lawfirm want to help. Our Abilify lawyers are dedicated to fighting for families like yours, and you won’t owe us anything for our services unless we get compensation for you. Don’t wait to get experienced legal help—call or contact us online to get started today.