Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol-Myers Squibb are facing a new Abilify lawsuit from a Missouri man alleging he developed a gambling addiction as a result of taking the drug.

The side effects of Abilify have recently become a major concern for patients, as this drug has been allegedly causing compulsive behavior in patients that has resulted in severe financial damage.

Plaintiff Thomas L. is filing this Abilify lawsuit, alleging he compulsively gambled soon after starting the medication.

Thomas began taking Abilify in March 2013, and stayed on the medication until August 2015 when the FDA released a warning regarding the side effects of Abilify.

Before taking Abilify, Thomas had no knowledge of Abilify complications, specifically regarding the side effect of suddenly developing compulsive behavior.

After stopping Abilify, Thomas stopped compulsively gambling but is still feeling the effects.

Thomas had incurred over $75,000 in gambling losses and other financial loses including: loss of financially stability, loss of employment, and other economic losses.

According to his Abilify lawsuit, Thomas was not aware that compulsive behaviors like gambling were potential Abilify side effects until 2015.

Thomas states he never would have taken Abilify if he had known about potential if developing a gambling addiction and other compulsive behaviors.

Overview of Abilify Side Effects

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic prescribed to adult patients to treat a variety of mental disorders.

It was approved by the FDA in 2002, and is manufactured conjointly between Otsuka Pharmaceutical and Bristol Myers.

Soon after the drug was released, Abilify became a best-selling product for the companies, earning $2.3 billion in 2013.

Abilify works by streamlining the dopamine levels in the brain, which will ideally give mood balance and mental stability.

However, the side effects of Abilify have recently come under public scrutiny, as numerous patients have reportedly developed gambling addiction and other compulsive behaviors soon after taking the drug.

Experts believe that by interfering directly with dopamine, the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward sensors, Abilify inhibits or weakens the brain’s ability to control compulsion.

From 2005 to 2013, the FDA reported that at least 54 reports of compulsive or impulsive behavior injury reports were submitted.

Among these injury reports, 30 of them consisted of compulsive gambling, 12 reported impulsive behavior, nine reported hypersexuality, and three reported compulsive shopping.

In 2014, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System data had also received numerous reports of compulsive gambling as an alleged result of Abilify.

These numerous reports eventually spurred the FDA to send out a public warning regarding Abilify side effects, particularly warning against gambling addiction and compulsive shopping.

Similar to Thomas’ Abilify lawsuit, other patients have filed legal action against Otsuka and Bristol Myers for failing to warn them against the side effects of Abilify.

The Abilify Lawsuit is Case No. 6:16-cv-03023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Western Missouri, Southern Division.