Bristol Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company are facing a new Abilify (aripiprazole) pathological gambling lawsuit, from a Louisiana woman alleging the drug caused her major financial damages.

Plaintiff Cindy H. alleges that the antipsychotic had caused her to lose all inhibitions against gambling, causing her to lose a massive amount of her income.

She is filing this Abilify pathological gambling lawsuit after allegedly developing compulsive gambling habits soon after being prescribed the medication.

She was prescribed Abilify in February 2013 to treat her mental disorder, and she has since been on the medication because of its treatment mechanism.

Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic, which works by directly balancing the level of dopamine in the patient’s brain.

Dopamine is the primary brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward sensors, which is supposed to result in emotional balance.

This treatment mechanism worked so well for Cindy that her physician had increased her Abilify prescription dose in June 2013.

Overview of Abilify Pathological Gambling Allegations

However, it may have been the increased dose that had caused Cindy to develop a compulsive gambling problem.

Even though Abilify works very well in its treatment mechanism, numerous studies have suggested that its treatment mechanism shuts down certain inhibitions that prevent patients from compulsive behaviors.

Numerous patients have reported developing sudden compulsive behaviors including gambling, shopping and hypersexual activity.

According to her Abilify pathological gambling lawsuit, Cindy had never experienced problems with compulsive gambling prior to using Abilify.

Between Sept. 16, 2013 and Sept. 18, 2013, Cindy withdrew $3,300 alone for her compulsive gambling, and alleges to have lost tens of thousands of dollars to one designated casino near Cindy’s home.

It is important to note that this is money she could not afford to spend, let alone lose to compulsive gambling.

In her Abilify pathological gambling lawsuit, Cindy states that she felt as though she had no control over her actions when withdrawing her finances.

It was only due to the support and intervention of her husband that Cindy had sought treatment for gambling, and has since been seeing a counselor and attends weekly Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

Even though Cindy is seeking treatments for her gambling problems, the damage has already been done to her personal finances.

Cindy is filing this Abilify pathological gambling lawsuit seeking compensation for her lost finances, alleging the companies failed to warn her against the possibility of compulsive gambling.

She alleges Otsuka and Bristol-Myers either knew or should have known the potential side effects associated with their medication, and should have included this information on the drug’s warning label.

The damages sought in her Abilify pathological gambling lawsuit include counts of negligence and failure to warn. Cindy states that she never would have taken Abilify if she had known the risk of compulsive gambling.

This Abilify Pathological Gambling Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-5529, in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.