An Alabama resident recently filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb over Abilify compulsive behavior.

According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff, Sherita B., began taking Abilify at the direction of her doctor in 2012.

As a result, the lawsuit alleges, Sherita developed a series of severe compulsive behaviors that strongly impacted her life.

The Abilify compulsive behavior problems she experienced include compulsive gambling, spending, and eating, as well as problems with experiencing hyper-sexuality.

Because of her Abilify compulsive behavior, Sherita alleges having suffered a number of losses including monetary loss and loss of her financial stability, as well as other mental, physical, and economic losses.

Though the plaintiff began taking Abilify in 2012, the connection between Abilify and the plaintiff’s injuries did not emerge until 2016.

Sherita filed this Abilify compulsive behavior lawsuit on multiple counts, including breach of express and implied warranties, negligence and wantonness, and fraudulent concealment.

Background of Abilify

Abilify (also known by its generic name, aripiprazole) is a widely used antipsychotic medication produced by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

The drug brings in billions annually in sales, and is used to treat such conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Though the drug has only grown more popular since its release onto the drug market, a growing number of injured Abilify users are coming forward with reports of serious Abilify side effects.

Indeed, Abilify and other dopamine receptor agonists like it have been linked with compulsive behavior problems, including gambling, sex, and shopping addictions.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that dopamine receptor agents, including Abilify, were closely tied with these kinds of compulsive behavior problems.

Compulsive behaviors are different from the usual serious side effects linked with drugs, and may not sound as serious as a physical injury.

However, Abilify compulsive behaviors can become extremely problematic for both the patient and their family, as well as less simple to recognize as a medical problem.

Abilify has been reported as a cause of Abilify compulsive behaviors from gambling to shopping addictions at least 37 times. More of these kinds of reports have targeted dopamine receptor agonists in general.

Information about Abilify compulsive behavior problems has been around since 2009, and has since been available to the drugs’ manufacturers.

The Abilify warning label, however, carries no subsequent warning of the risk of Abilify compulsive behavior linked with the drug.

Abilify Compulsive Behavior Lawsuits

According to Abilify compulsive behavior lawsuits like this one, Abilify and other dopamine receptor agonists can cause serious addiction problems that have dramatic effects on a patient’s life.

Compulsive gambling behaviors can often become so severe that people who suffer from it are driven to gamble even without the financial capacity to do so—and even when they did not exhibit such behaviors prior to taking the drug. Some gamble with credit cards or borrow money, landing both patients and their families deep in debt.

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by compulsive behaviors such as gambling after taking Abilify or a similar drug, you may able to join an Abilify compulsive behavior lawsuit investigation.

The Abilify Compulsive Behavior Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-01642, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division.