Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb are facing a growing number of claims from Abilify patients alleging serious financial damages from compulsive gambling addiction losses.

One of the most recent Abilify lawsuits comes from a Louisiana woman alleging she sustained gambling addiction losses as a direct result of her Abilify prescription.

Plaintiff Michelle A. had reportedly started incurring massive gambling addiction losses soon after starting her Abilify prescription. Reports of compulsive gambling were allegedly not mentioned on the drug’s warning label.

According to the Abilify lawsuit, Michelle was prescribed the medication for typical treatment purposes in 2002 and stayed on the drug until 2016. During all times relevant, Michelle had followed all prescription instructions and medical advice.

Even with this diligence, Michelle still allegedly developed compulsive behavior problems that contributed to her increasing financial losses. During her Abilify treatment, Michelle had allegedly incurred over $250,000 in gambling addiction losses and overall financial instability.

Michelle filed legal action after learning of a possible link between Abilify and compulsive behaviors like shopping and gambling, after European and Canadian regulators required this possibility to be included on the drug’s warning label.

Overview of Abilify Compulsive Behavior Problems

Abilify was approved by the FDA in 2002 to be a treatment option for patients suffering from extreme mental disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome. This atypical antipsychotic medication works on the levels of dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is the brain chemical primarily responsible for pleasure and reward sensations. However, this treatment mechanism has allegedly been causing patients to develop impulse control behaviors, like gambling or shopping, to prolong the feeling of euphoria.

According to multiple studies, Abilify patients may face an increased risk for developing compulsive spending habits, like in the case of gambling and shopping. A study conducted by the Institute from Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) found that drugs that interact with dopamine receptors can result in “severe impulse control disorders” in some patients.

Abilify and other dopamine receptor agonist treatment therapy was observed in 37 patients who developed compulsive behavioral problems. ISMP researchers point out that no FDA approved dopamine receptor agonist medications carried black box warnings against this potential side effect, recommending that this correlation needed further investigation.

Even though Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb allegedly knew of the alleged correlation between compulsive behavior development and Abilify, they allegedly failed to warn the public.

Michelle is filing her Abilify lawsuit in MDL No. 2734, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Michelle’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid conflicting rulings from different judges.

Michelle states that she never would have agreed to take Abilify if she had known about the alleged link with pathological gambling and shopping. Michelle is seeking compensation for the gambling addiction losses, along with other relevant financial damages.

This Abilify Lawsuit is Case 3:17-cv-00769-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.