Numerous patients allege they developed devastating spending habits after taking the antipsychotic medication Abilify. Their compulsive behavior is a concern in the medical community and patient population.

Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb are currently facing a growing multi-district litigation (MDL) from patients alleging Abilify and compulsive behavior caused them severe financial damages.

One of the most recent Abilify lawsuits to join the MDL comes from a California woman alleging the companies failed to warn her against the possible correlation between Abilify and compulsive behavior. Plaintiff Christine B. says she was prescribed Abilify for typical treatment purposes in April 2007, taking the drug according to physician advice and label instructions.

However, at some point during her treatment, Christine allegedly developed compulsive behavior that caused a bad spending habit. She incurred thousands of dollars worth of financial damages, which she alleges was caused by the medication’s treatment mechanism.

Abilify works by altering the effect of dopamine in the brain, which is a chemical associated with pleasure and reward sensations. Certain compulsive behaviors like shopping and gambling have been attributed to this medication’s use because it allegedly causes numerous patients to drop their inhibitions and sense of caution.

Overview of Abilify Behavior Problems

Many Abilify patients have reported their medication led to compulsive and problematic behavior. Christine says she did not know this until recently, when the FDA added a black box warning to Abilify stating that other drugs in its medication class were not linked to compulsive behavior.

The black box warning was added after a recent study was conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), which found that dopamine activating medications could lead to “Severe impulse control disorders” in some patients. According to the study, the ISMP found 37 cases of Abilify patients developing compulsive behaviors.

The ISMP ultimately recommended that warnings for a potential correlation between Abilify and compulsive gambling be added to the drug’s warning label, so patients are aware of the potential risks. Otsuka and Bristol Myers allegedly failed to do this, which may have resulted in numerous patients developing compulsive behaviors including shopping, gambling, and hypersexuality.

Christine says her Abilify prescription ended in December 2016, but she is still contending with the massive financial damages. According to her Abilify lawsuit, Christine had also developed some form of brain damage and serious impulse control issues in alleged result of Abilify.

Christine alleges she would not have taken the medication if she had known the alleged correlation between Abilify and compulsive behavior. Christine’s Abilify lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2734, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging an Abilify and compulsive behavior correlation.

By joining an MDL, Christine’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid problems like conflicting ruling from different judges. Christine is seeking compensation for all financial damages, along with several counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Abilify Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00798-MCR-GRJ, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.