A couple from Florida has recently filed an Abilify gambling lawsuit, with the wife alleging she developed compulsive behavior problems after starting her prescription.

This Abilify gambling lawsuit is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of other product liability claims form patients alleging they developed compulsive spending habits.

Plaintiff couple Melissa E. and John E. filed this Abilify gambling lawsuit against Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb, alleging the companies failed to warn them against potential drug side effects.

According to the Abilify gambling lawsuit, Melissa was prescribed the antipsychotic for typical treatment purposes and followed all prescription instructions along with additional advice from her physician.

Abilify is an antipsychotic medication that works on the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. Dopamine is the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward sensations, which encourage patients to continue whatever ongoing activity they are participating in.

However, this treatment mechanism has been allegedly causing a number of patients to develop serious behavioral problems such as compulsive gambling and shopping, along with other high risk behaviors like hypersexuality.

This was also allegedly the case with Melissa, with her Abilify gambling lawsuit alleging the medication had caused her to develop a gambling problem. According to the Abilify gambling lawsuit, Melissa’s prescription started in 2006 and lasted until 2016.

During this time, Melissa reportedly suffered serious financial loss and has been unable to become economically stable since her prescription ended. Melissa and Scott opted to file this Abilify gambling lawsuit against the companies, after discovering that other patients had experienced similar complications.

Overview of Abilify Gambling Complications

Abilify was approved by the FDA in 2002 to be a treatment drug for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Tourette syndrome.

Along with its successor Rexulti, these medications have been treating serious psychological conditions in patients for years. However, recent research has shown that Abilify and other dopamine manipulating medications may induce serious compulsive behavioral problems in patients.

One of the most recent studies was conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), which found that dopamine receptor activators could lead to “severe impulse control disorders” in some patients.

While Abilify is only a partial dopamine receptor agonist, researchers still noted that Abilify had been linked to compulsive behavioral problems in at least 37 injury reports. Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, Otsuka and Bristol Myers allegedly failed to warn the public against them.

Melissa states she would not have agreed to initiate Abilify treatment if she had known the risks of gambling or other compulsive behaviors. At all times relevant, Melissa and John had relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by Bristol Myers and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

This Abilify gambling lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2734, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining and MDL, Melissa and John’s Abilify gambling lawsuit will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Abilify Gambling Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01565-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Florida, Pensacola Division.