Abilify (aripiprazone) is an oral medication used to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, Tourette’s disorder, and irritability associated with autism. It is also used as an adjunct medication for depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic that works by altering the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain. It is considered a dopamine agonist, which means that it activates the dopamine receptors in the brain to stimulate them and treat various symptoms of low dopamine.

While many individuals have experienced relief from hallucinations, treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar disorder or general improvement in mood, others have had mild to severe side effects from the use of the medication.

Troublesome Abilify Side Effects

A study published in the JAMA Internal Med journal in 2014 looked at the side effects reported that when patients were taking dopamine receptor agonist drugs like Ability. The researchers analyzed adverse drug reports that were sent to the FDA between 2003 and 2012. A total of 2.7 million events of all types were included in the dopamine agonist study.

The results of the study showed 1,580 reports of “pathological gambling, hypersexuality, compulsive shopping and related impulse control disorders during the 10-year period for which we reviewed adverse drug event reports.”

Pathological gambling (more along the lines of compulsive gambling or a gambling addition) was mentioned in the events almost 40 percent of the time and was the most often reported impulse control behavior, and “gambling” was mentioned second most often at about 12 percent of the time.

In their conclusion, the researcher stated, “At present, none of the dopamine receptor agonist drugs approved by the FDA have boxed warnings about the potential for the development of severe impulse control disorders as part of their prescribing information. Our data, and data from prior studies, show the need for these prominent warnings. Physicians who prescribe dopamine agonists should also vigilantly monitor their patients, and ensure that patients, families, and caregivers are counseled about the risk of these serious adverse events.”

Compulsive Gambling and Gambling Addiction

Compulsive gambling is more than just enjoying gambling often, it is a behavior that can lead to severe consequences personally, socially and financially. Like other forms of addition, a gambling addiction has several symptoms related to those who are addicted to alcohol or other substances in terms of the behaviors they engage in. Many times, those with compulsive gambling issues may try to hide their behavior.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling includes having five or more of the following symptoms:

• Committing crimes to get money to gamble
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back or quit gambling
• Gambling to escape problems or feelings of sadness or anxiety
• Gambling larger amounts of money to try to make back past losses
• Losing a job, relationship, education, or career opportunity due to gambling
• Lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling
• Making many unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit gambling
• Needing to borrow money due to gambling losses
• Needing to gamble larger amounts of money in order to feel excitement
• Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling, such as remembering past experiences or ways to get more money with which to gamble

Filing an Abilify Lawsuit

Individuals who have experienced compulsive gambling addictions may have lost their spouses, friends, job, home and more due to the damaging effects of their condition.

Those who have taken Abilify and had gambling issues as a result of taking the medication may choose to file an Abilify lawsuit against the drug manufacturers for failing to warn about the serious side effects involving impulse control that are linked with dopamine agonist drugs like Abilify.

If you or a loved one has taken Abilify and has been exhibiting behaviors linked with poor impulse control such as compulsive gambling or a gambling addition, compulsive shopping or other serious impulse control Abilify side effects, you may be able to seek legal compensation. An Abilify attorney can review your case for free to help you in deciding how to pursue your legal options.