Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb is facing a growing multidistrict litigation from numerous patients who allegedly developed Abilify impulsive behavior. One of the most recent Abilify lawsuits comes from an Ohio woman alleging she developed Abilify impulsive behavior soon after starting the medication.

Plaintiff Karen S. and husband Michael S. are joining the Abilify MDL after discovering numerous other patients allegedly developed Abilify impulsive behavior soon after starting their prescription.

Karen says she was prescribed Abilify for typical treatment purposes in 2014 and quickly developed Abilify impulsive behavior. This Abilify impulsive behavior allegedly caused Karen to suffer bodily harm and severe economic damages, which are still affecting her life.

Karen’s Abilify prescription ended in 2015. She filed legal action soon after discovering the manufacturers may have known the drug’s treatment mechanism could induce Abilify impulsive behavior.

Overview of Abilify Behavior Complications

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an antipyschotic treatment drug, often prescribed to treat a number of serious mental disordering including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome.

This medication works by manipulating the dopamine level in the brain, which produces positive feelings of happiness and euphoria. This drug quickly became popular after its release in 2002, making it a big financial success for Otsuka and Bristol Myers.

However, the drug’s treatment mechanism has been allegedly inducing Abilify impulsive behavior. The Abilify impulsive behaviors reported by patients include gambling, shopping, hypersexuality, and other compulsive actions. Researchers believe these behaviors develop due to Abilify’s effect on dopamine, the brain chemical connected with pleasure and reward.

There have been several case studies indicating Abilify behavior problems, with one inquiry conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). The ISMP found that medications activating dopamine receptors could resulting “severe impulse control disorders, by instigating feelings of pleasure. Even though Abilify was not considered a true family member of the drug family of the ISMP study, 37 reports have found indications of Abilify impulsive behavior development.

According to ISMP researchers, none of the FDA approved dopamine receptor agonists have black box warnings for potential impulsive control issues. The ISMP researchers recommended these labels be added, based on data from recent and earlier studies.

Even though Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb were aware of these studies, they still allegedly failed to warn the public. Karen is filing her Abilify lawsuit in MDL No. 2734, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

By joining an MDL, Karen’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and avoid potential bumps like conflicting rulings from different judges. At all times relevant, Karen used the medication according to prescription instructions and physician’s advice, but still developed Abilify impulsive behavior.

Karen states she would not have agreed to take the medication if she had known about potential Abilify impulsive behavior. Karen is seeking multiple damages for negligence and failure to warn, with her husband alleging the drug permanently impacted their marriage.

This Abilify Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00820-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.