A married couple has filed a new Abilify side effects lawsuit in Florida federal court alleging bodily injury including pain and suffering resulting from taking the antipsychotic medication.

Plaintiffs Richard F. and spouse Beverly F., residents of the state of Michigan, say that Richard began taking Abilify from 2006 to 2010.

Soon after, he began to suffer from adverse effects including the loss of enjoyment of life, loss of the ability to earn money, loss of earnings, and the expenses of medical care and treatment, the Abilify side effects lawsuit states.

The Abilify side effects lawsuit was filed on Dec. 13, 2017 and filed on multiple counts of strict liability, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, negligence, negligence per se, negligent misrepresentation, violation of consumer protection laws, fraudulent concealment, and loss of consortium, among others.

Abilify Side Effects

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Abilify (aripiprazole) is an oral tablet or injection medication, used to treat schizophrenia, manic episodes that may occur with bipolar I disorder, major depressive disorder, Tourette’s disorder, and irritability associated with autistic disorder.

Allegations against the drugs manufacturers Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb state that the companies failed to warn patients and doctors that the drug can cause compulsive behaviors, such as gambling, eating, sex, and shopping.

Although it is not certain how Abilify may cause compulsive behavior, it’s known that the drug affects the brain’s dopamine pathway. Through published scientific literature its been concluded that Abilify acts on dopamine neurons and our brain’s dopamine pathways, affecting the patient’s reward-seeking behavior.

In a summary safety review published by Health Canada, evidence was shown proving the link “between the use of aripiprazole and a possible risk of pathological gambling and hypersexuality.”

The pending lawsuits against the manufactures allege the companies of negligence in their design of Abilify. They accuse the companies of knowing the drug’s compulsive behavior side effects but failing to notify and warn consumers of these risks.

Claims against the manufacturers state that although Abilify was approved by the FDA in 2002, the warning labels cautioning patients of compulsive gambling Abilify side effects was only added in May 2016.

This compulsive behavior is reported to onset soon after taking Abilify. Many patients report the drug’s compulsive side effect stops once the patient switches to a different medication.

A person who suffers fromAbilify  compulsive behavior side effects may become unable to control the urge to perform certain destructive behaviors, like excessive gambling. Even if  a patient is about to cause themselves social, financial, and personal injuries, they cannot stop themselves from continuing their compulsive behavior.

Other common side effects of Abilify include nausea, drooling, constipation, anxiety, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, and weight gain.

The Abilify Side Effects Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00907-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division. The Abilify MDL is In re: Abilify (Aripiprazole) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3:16-md-2734, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.