A Pennsylvania woman and her husband recently filed a lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb, alleging that she suffered from damaging Abilify long term side effects but had not been adequately warned of this risk. The lawsuit alleges that Abilify caused long-term compulsive gambling problems, leading to both financial loss and mental distress.

The plaintiff, Eileen Printz, alleges she began taking Abilify at the direction of her doctor in 2008. However, after taking the drug for some period of time, she says she began experiencing severe compulsive behaviors. According to the lawsuit, Eileen developed a severely harmful compulsive gambling problem that, over time, has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of dollars.

This compulsive behavior has not gone away and, instead, has impacted Eileen and her family over an extended period of time. These Abilify long term side effects have had not only a severe monetary effect on Eileen’s family, such as loss of financial stability, but also mental and emotional effects. The lawsuit further claims that these Abilify long term side effects have led to an “injurious impact of Abilify on Plaintiff’s brain,” the effects of which will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Abilify long term side effects lawsuit was filed on Sept. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. It was filed on multiple counts, including breach of express and implied warranties, negligence, fraudulent concealment, and punitive damages, among others. Eileen’s husband Scott also filed one count of loss of consortium.

Background of Abilify

Abilify (also known by its generic name, aripiprazole) is a popular antipsychotic from Bristol-Myers Squibb. Abilify is used for the treatment of mental disorders like schizophrenia and depression. Its popularity is clear: though it has only been on the market for a few years, Abilify already brings in billions of dollars annually.

Abilify Long Term Side Effects

While any medication will come with certain mild side effects, Abilify has actually been tied to significant Abilify long term side effects: namely, serious impulse control problems. This side effect can manifest itself in compulsive behaviors like shopping addiction and gambling problems. These side effects are not only a problem for a person’s day-to-day life, but also for the lives of their family members, including in financial matters.

Of course, any drug will come with certain side effects, but patients claim that Abilify may pose a more lasting problem with major compulsion issues.

One of the major problems with compulsive gambling and other impulse problems is that it is extremely difficult to stop and return to normal life without getting professional help. And even when patients do manage to recover from the mental effects of compulsive behaviors, they may still be left with severe financial consequences.

Filing an Abilify Long Term Side Effects Lawsuit

Abilify and similar drugs are currently being investigated in the United States to determine Abilify long term side effects. Similar drugs, other dopamine receptor agonists, have been targeted in other lawsuits. If you or someone you know has been impacted by impulse control behaviors like compulsive shopping after taking Abilify or a similar antipsychotic drug, you may be eligible to file an Abilify long term side effects lawsuit.

The Abilify Long Term Side Effects Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00712-MCR-GRJ, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.