A Nevada woman recently filed a lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb, alleging a connection between Abilify and compulsive behavior that led to a serious gambling problem.

The plaintiff, Denise S., began taking Abilify in 2008, and continued this usage for several years, until July 2016. However, Denise alleges that there is a connection between Abilify and compulsive behavior that caused her to develop a gambling addiction. This Abilify gambling lawsuit and others like it allege that the Bristol-Myers Squibb failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about this risk.

Denise filed her lawsuit on Dec. 21, 2017 on multiple counts, including strict liability, breach of express and implied warranties, negligence, and fraudulent concealment, among others. Denise’s husband Leandar also filed on one count of loss of consortium.

Lawsuits like Denise’s allege that Abilify and compulsive behavior can incur gambling debts, medical expenses, and loss of earnings. Lawsuits claim that these side effects can be ongoing or even permanent, and will continue in the future.

Abilify Background

Abilify (also known by its generic name, aripiprazole) is a popular antipsychotic medication manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Abilify is used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression.

Abilify now brings in billions of dollars annually since its initial approval. Even though the drug is clearly popular, concerning reports have tied together and Abilify and compulsive behavior.

Abilify and Compulsive Behavior Side Effects

While any medication comes with the risk of certain side effects, with mild complications like nausea and rashes, the dangers connected with Abilify may have a more lasting effect. Studies show a significant connection between Abilify and compulsive behavior problems like gambling, sex addiction, and compulsive shopping.

These compulsive behaviors can not only affect an Abilify patient’s day-to-day life, but can also cause major problems for their family, such as in the case of financial matters.

Compulsive gambling, for instance, can be so severe that people are driven to gamble even when they do not have the financial capacity to do so. Because of this, some gamble with credit cards or borrow money, which can land patients in extremely deep debt. This may not cause physical harm, but it can ruin lives.

It can be very difficult to recover and return to normal life for those who suffer from these compulsive behaviors like gambling or shopping addictions. On top of this, even when patients do manage to recover from the mental effects of Abilify and compulsive behavior, they may still be left with severe financial consequences.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Abilify and Compulsive Behavior

An increasing number of lawsuits with reports of impulse control problems are being filed over Abilify and compulsive behavior. Abilify and similar drugs are currently being investigated in the United States to determine their dangers. Similar drugs, other dopamine receptor agonists, have been targeted in other lawsuits.

If you or someone you know have been impacted by the effects of Abilify and compulsive behavior problems like gambling, or shopping addictions, you may be eligible to file an lawsuit over Abilify dangers.

The Abilify and Compulsive Behavior Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00933-RV-CJK, in the U.S. District Court for the Pensacola Division of the Northern District of Florida.