A woman has filed an Abilify gambling addiction lawsuit after the medication allegedly induced compulsive behavior.

Plaintiff Nicole G. says she took Abilify from 2010 to 2016. She claims the drug allegedly led her to develop “compulsive behaviors, including, but not limited to, gambling and job loss.”

Abilify (aripiprazole) is a relatively new medication that treats depression, schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. According to the multidistrict litigation complaint filed against Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, these drug companies knew patients could develop uncontrollable behaviors, but failed to warn the American health care community and consumers.

In both Europe and Canada, Abilify’s label warns of the risk of pathological gambling as a possible side effect. Plaintiffs like Nicole say the U.S. label did not mention the risks of developing compulsive behaviors, like an Abilify gambling addiction, until January 2016. By that time, Abilify had been available in the United States for 14 years.

By keeping the risks from the U.S. audience, plaintiffs say, the drug makers made significantly more money from Abilify sales in the U.S. compared to those in Europe, where the risks were known.

What makes this concealment even worse, however, is that the patients themselves are apt to be unaware that they are experiencing abnormal thoughts and behaviors.

The FDA ordered the drug’s U.S. label to add warnings about side effects that could include Abilify gambling addiction or compulsive shopping, eating, or sex. These urges can become so strong that the patient could harm themselves or others without being aware of the consequences of their actions.

The updated label indicates, “Compulsive behaviors may result in harm to the patient and others if not recognized. Consider dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges.”

Abilify Gambling Addiction Can Ruin Lives

According to the Abilify gambling addiction MDL complaint, Abilify has been linked to harmful behaviors like compulsive gambling, which can result in tremendous financial, mental and physical damages.

Pathological gambling, now known as “gambling disorder,” is a major psychiatric disorder. Abilify gambling addiction is related to the activation of “reward systems similar to those activated by drugs of abuse, and produce some behavioral symptoms comparable to those produced by substance abuse disorders,” according to the Abilify gambling addiction MDL.

Abilify works on the brain chemical dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that controls the reward and pleasure areas of the brain. The link between compulsive behavior such as pathological gambling and dopamine is well-known.

The FDA reported 54 complaints of compulsive or impulsive behavioral issues from 2005 to 2013. Among those, 30 indicated compulsive gambling, 12 indicated impulsive behavior, nine reported hypersexuality and three reported compulsive shopping.

The drug companies have invested millions of dollars to promote Abilify directly to consumers through television, internet and print ads over the years. In addition, Abilify has invested millions of dollars in teams of drug sales representatives who visit and meet with members of the medical community to “educate” them to Abilify’s advantages.

None of the advertising nor the sales representatives allegedly mentioned the risks of pathological gambling.

The Abilify Gambling Addiction Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00904-MCR-GRJ and is part of the Abilify MDL, In re: Abilify (aripiprazole) Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2734, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.