A new Abilify lawsuit alleging serious financial damages has been filed by a couple alleging the atypical antipyschotic caused the claimant to develop impulsive spending behavior. Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers Squibb are facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of similar claims alleged in the Abilify lawsuit.

California plaintiffs Timothy P. and Sandra P. are filing this Abilify lawsuit alleging their serious financial damages were directly caused by the medication. Timothy had been prescribed Abilify for typical treatment purposes and had used the medication according to prescription instructions and physician advice.

Overview of Abilify Lawsuit

Abilify was approved by the FDA in 2002 to treat depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome. This medication works by leveling the brain’s dopamine and serotonin levels, which is supposed to produce better mood balance.

Dopamine is the brain chemical responsible for pleasure and reward sensations, which encourages patients to continue with their behavior. However, this may induce potential compulsive behaviors, with injury reports indicating compulsive gambling, large shopping trips or expensive purchases, and hypersexuality.

Both European and Canadian health officials stated that manufacturing companies had to add warnings of pathological gambling on the Abilify warning label. In addition, case studies and scientific inquiries have supported these allegations.

A recent study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) found medications utilizing dopamine receptors can potentially develop into “severe impulse control disorders” in some patients. Researchers found that there at least 37 reports of Abilify compulsive behaviors with scientists calling for further investigation into the link.

The ISMP researchers further pointed out that similar dopamine manipulator medications contained warnings about impulse control, but Abilify did not. Numerous patients developed severe impulse control issues which have reportedly landed many in financial squalor or other compromising situations.

This was also the case with Timothy, who says he was not made aware of potential compulsive spending habits by the manufacturing companies at any point before or after his Abilify prescription. Timothy’s prescription lasted from June 2012 until October 2015, during which time he allegedly developed compulsive spending habits.

According to the Abilify lawsuit, Timothy suffered over $38,000 in financial losses and sustained mental and emotional anguish from the growing financial stress. Timothy still allegedly has to contend with severe impulse control, and further claims the medication permanently impacted his marriage with Sandra.

Timothy and Sandra filed this Abilify lawsuit after discovering the medication may be linked to impulsive behaviors like shopping, gambling, and hypersexuality. Timothy stated that he would not have agreed to Abilify if he had known about its association with compulsive spending behaviors.

He filed his Abilify lawsuit in MDL No. 2734, which consists of claims alleging similar injuries. By joining the MDL, Timothy and Sandra’s claim can be streamlined through the litigation process and may avoid conflicts like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Abilify Lawsuit is Case 3:17-cv-00707-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Florida, Pensacola Division.