Claims over an Abilify gambling problem have led to the creation of a multidistrict litigation in a federal court in Florida.

The psychiatric medication that’s been a huge business success for maker Bristol-Myers Squibb has been linked to reports of an Abilify gambling problem.

Scientists believe the way the drug affects neurotransmitters could have a hand in causing compulsive behavior among Abilify patients.

Abilify, or aripiprazole, is now used in both on- and off-label applications to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. It’s believed to work by regulating the effects of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that may be connected to certain psychological symptoms.

Unfortunately, the same neurotransmitters also appear to play a role in the brain’s reward system. Scientists think Abilify might alter that system in a way that makes patients uncontrollably seek the sense of reward that can come from certain risky behavior like gambling.

FDA Warns About Abilify Gambling Problem

The FDA addressed the issue in a May 2016 drug safety communication warning patients and doctors about the risk of an Abilify gambling problem.

The agency issued the announcement after a review of reports in its adverse events reporting database revealed 184 reports associating Abilify with impulse-control problems. Among those reports, the vast majority arose from cases of pathological gambling.

Other problems reported to the FDA included compulsive eating, spending money or shopping, and sexual activity.

The FDA noted that most of the patients who were subjects of these reports had no prior history of compulsive behavior problems. Their problems typically started after they began taking Abilify. Once their dosage was reduced or discontinued, the problematic behaviors tended to stop, the FDA said.

Claims Combined in an Abilify MDL

Dozens of patients who say they developed an Abilify gambling problem or other compulsive behavior have taken to the court system to seek compensation. To handle these claims and the many more that are expected to come, the federal court system has consolidated them into a single multidistrict litigation, or MDL.

In October 2016, the federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred 22 Abilify lawsuits to a federal court in Florida so that pretrial procedures could be coordinated under the watch of U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. New federal Abilify lawsuits will be added to the Abilify MDL as they are filed.

Generally, the plaintiffs in these actions claim Bristol Myers-Squibb failed to properly warn them that taking Abilify would put them at risk for developing a compulsive behavior problem. They allege the company knew about that risk but kept that information under wraps to avoid lowering Abilify sales revenues.

More Abilify lawsuits are expected. Other patients suffering from Abilify-related compulsive behavior may be in a position to make a claim. A consultation with a knowledgeable pharmaceutical product liability can give prospective claimants a good idea of their legal options.

The Abilify MDL is In re: Abilify (Aripiprazole) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2734 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.