Bristol-Myers faces a new Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit alleging that the drug causes compulsive behavior.

Plaintiff Dallas T. has filed an Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka, the manufacturers of Abilify, alleging that their product caused his compulsive behavior including compulsive gambling.

Abilify is an anti-psychotic drug often used to treat bipolar I disorder and schizophrenia. Other uses include an add-on treatment for depression, treatment of Tourette’s disorder and treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorders.

Abilify was initial approved for use by the FDA in 2002. Abilify works by affecting dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers and has been repeatedly linked to compulsive behavior and gambling. The Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit argues that this mechanism leads to compulsive behavior.

Dallas says he took Abilify from 2006 to 2015. “As a result of Plaintiff’s use of Abilify, Plaintiff developed compulsive behaviors, including, but not limited to, gambling,” states the Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit.

The Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit alleges that the drug manufacturers did not adequately warn consumers and physicians about the risks of compulsive behavior while on Abilify. Prior to 2016, the United States label allegedly made no mention of compulsive behaviors or gambling.

In January 2016, a post-market warning about pathological gambling was added, but no mention was made in the patient medication guide, according to the lawsuit. By August 2016, warnings regarding compulsive gambling, eating, shopping and sexual activity were all added to the Abilify label by the FDA.

Although the United States label did not contain warnings until 2016, evidence of compulsive behavior with Abilify prompted the European Medicines Agency required a label warning as early as 2012. In 2015, Canadian regulators allegedly concluded that there was a link between Abilify and compulsive behavior and required a warning on the label.

“The labeling in the United States contradicts the labeling in Europe and Canada by not providing adequate warnings and not cautioning that patients should be closely monitored, and does not adequately inform patients and physicians that gambling and other compulsive behaviors have been associated with Abilify use,” the lawsuit states.

The Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit argues that the manufacturers had a duty to disclose the side effects of Abilify and intentionally concealed the facts in order to make more profit in the United States market.

“As a result of Defendants’ misleading promotional campaigns, Abilify occupies the top sales position for a prescription drug in the United States,” the lawsuit argues. In his lawsuit, Dallas argues that the manufacturers wrongfully profited at the expense of patient safety.

Dallas accuses Bristol-Myers and Otsuka of strict liability, breach of warranty, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, violation of consumer protection law and fraudulent concealment. He seeks a trial by jury, damages, Abilify prescription costs, treatment costs, court costs and attorneys’ fees.

The Abilify Compulsive Gambling Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-md-2734 and is part of the Abilify MDL, In re: Abilify (Aripiprazole) Products Liability Litigation, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.