Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., the makers of the blockbuster antipsychotic drug, are facing an Abilify wrongful death lawsuit claiming side effects of the anti-psychotic drug led to the death of a Pennsylvania man.

Plaintiff Marie B. alleges her husband’s use of Abilify led to his compulsive gambling behaviors and ultimately his death.

According to allegations raised in Abilify wrongful death lawsuit, Marie’s late husband Joseph began using the drug in 2002, and began compulsively gambling shortly thereafter and suffered substantial monetary losses in excess of $75,000 and loss of financial stability.

She claims in the  Abilify wrongful death lawsuit that, “as a result of Abilify use, [Joseph] suffered neuropsychiatric and physical injury, emotional distress, harm, economic loss, and death” as a result of using Abilify.

Marie contends that the drug makers had a duty to warn her husband, his doctors and the public in general of Abilify’s dangers including serious compulsive behaviors like pathological gambling addiction.

Abilify Side Effects

Abilify (aripiprazole) was approved by the FDA in 2002, and is one of the top selling drugs in the U.S., generating sales of $7.5 billion in 2013.

Abilify has been linked to reports of impulse control problems, including gambling addictions, sex addictions and other similar behavior that has been linked to a class of drugs known as dopamine receptor agonists.

A recent study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine, found that this class of drugs was linked to impulse control problems, such as compulsive gambling, sex addiction and other issues that may have a severe impact on an individual’s life.

In fact, Abilify has been known to cause serious compulsive behavior side effects.  However, the drug may also have other side effects for patients including memory loss, dizziness, drowsiness and weight gain.

The FDA has also released a warning that Abilify increases chances of death in older patients.

Some Abilify side effects patients should be aware of include:

• Signs of diabetes, such as: high blood sugar, increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger
• Large or rapid weight gain
• Suicidal thoughts
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Dizziness or fainting when going from a sitting or lying-down position to standing
• Feelings of internal restlessness or jitteriness
• Any abnormal muscle movements (these movements can become permanent if Abilify is not stopped quickly)
• A painful erection of the penis that does not go away (priapism)
• Signs or symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can include: a high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, irregular pulse or blood pressure, an increased heart rate, sweating, irregular heart rhythms
• Signs of an allergic reaction, including: unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Filing an Abilify Lawsuit

Many Abilify lawsuits allege patients suffered substantial financial, mental, and physical damages as a result of Abilify-related compulsive behavior problems. If you or a loved one has been impacted from impulsive behaviors, or if a loved one passed away from side effects of Abilify use, you may be entitled to compensation.

The Abilify Wrongful Death Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-00547 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.