The medication Abilify is a popular treatment for mental and mood disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar I, and major depressive disorder.

Unfortunately, Abilify has been linked with some major compulsive behavior side effects, including gambling, shopping and sex addictions. Hundreds of patients have so far filed lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturers, Bristol-Myeres Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, alleging they were not adequately warned about these major behavioral side effects.

These lawsuits have yet to reach an Abilify settlement that satisfies both parties. Now, parties have until September to reach an Abilify settlement before the lawsuits go to trial. The litigation was originally set to begin bellwether trials in June, but these trials were delayed as the parties attempted to reach an Abilify settlement.

Background of Abilify

Abilify (also known by its generic name, aripiprazole) is an antipsychotic medication jointly manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Patients take Abilify to treat mental or mood disorders like schizophrenia and depression.

Abilify has become increasingly popular, and now brings in billions of dollars each year. However, even though the drug is widely used, reports and studies have linked Abilify with some serious side effects. Some patients have filed lawsuits against Abilify’s manufacturers, claiming that they were not given adequate warning about these risks.

Abilify Compulsive Behavior Complications

While any medication will come with certain mild side effects like nausea or rashes, patients claim that the compulsive behavior risks linked with Abilify may outweigh the drug’s benefits. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine noted a link between the use of dopamine receptor agonists like Abilify, and compulsive behavior problems like gambling, sex addiction, and compulsive shopping.

These impulse control problems not only affect an Abilify patient’s day-to-day life, but can also cause major problems for them financially. Compulsive gambling and shopping addictions can be so severe that people may land in extremely deep debt.

For those suffering from these problems, it can be very difficult to recover and return to normal life. On top of this, even when patients do manage to recover from the mental effects of Abilify and compulsive behavior, they may still be left with severe financial and familial consequences.

Pursuing an Abilify Settlement

More and more lawsuits are being filed over side effects after treatment with Abilify. Abilify and similar drugs are currently being investigated in the United States to determine their dangers. Similar drugs, including others belonging to the dopamine receptor agonist class, have been targeted in other lawsuits.

If you or someone you love has taken Abilify and been negatively affected by Abilify gambling loss or suffered from other compulsive behaviors after using the antipsychotic, you may able to join the growing pile of lawsuits against Abilify.

While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the mental anguish or suffering caused by Abilify compulsive behaviors, reaching an Abilify settlement can help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by some of these problems and compensate for the necessary treatment.