Prescribed to treat major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and other serious psychological disorders, Abilify has quickly gained popularity in the drug market.

However, a recent study suggests the atypical antipsychotic medication introduced jointly by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals in 2002, may be linked to severe impulse control side effects, including compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, binge eating, and shopping addiction.

What Is Abilify?

Known generically as aripiprazole, Abilify is a partial dopamine receptor agonist drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the treatment of schizophrenia.

In 2004 the medication was cleared for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Then in 2007, the FDA approved Abilify as a treatment for major depressive disorder. It is also used to treat irritability, aggression, mood swings, and other disruptive behavior issues.

Exactly how Abilify works is unknown. Although it is believed that the drug affects the activity of some key chemicals in the brain, notably dopamine and serotonin.

One of the more disturbing side effects of Abilify is its link to compulsive behaviors such as compulsive gambling, also called pathological gambling. Some medical experts believe these impulse control side effects are the result of Abilify’s influence on dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain.

Study: Abilify and Impulse Control Disorders

An October 2014 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) investigated severe impulse control disorders involving pathological or compulsive gambling, hyper sexuality, and shopping linked to the use of six different dopamine receptor agonist drugs including Abilify.

The retrospective study analyzed 2.7 million FDA adverse drug event reports from 2003 to 2012, and identified “1,580 events indicating impulse control disorders from the United States and 21 other countries: 710 for dopamine receptor agonist drugs and 870 from other drugs,” according to the study researchers.

According to the study, drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease showed the most significant link to addictions like compulsive gambling. The study also indicated that there were 37 reports linked to Abilify and compulsive gambling addiction.

“Our findings confirm and extend the evidence that dopamine receptor agonist drugs are associated with these specific impulse control disorders,” researchers involved in the latest Ability study concluded. “At present, none of the dopamine receptor agonist drugs approved by the FDA have boxed warnings as part of their prescribing information. Our data, and data from prior studies, show the need for more prominent warnings.”

At present, none of the dopamine receptor agonist drugs approved by the FDA like Abilify have boxed warnings as part of their prescribing information.

Abilify Compulsive Gambling Class Action Lawsuit Information

Compulsive gambling addiction caused by Abilify side effects can have a devastating impact on a person’s life. Had the drug makers provided adequate warnings about Abilify’s potential risk of compulsive gambling addiction, individuals may have been able to avoid long-term damage and problems by recognizing the symptoms of the behavior and opting to choose another safer medication.

If you or someone you love was prescribed Abilify and experienced gambling problems, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced drug injury attorney can review your case for no out-of-pocket cost and discuss if filing an Abilify lawsuit or joining an Abilify class action lawsuit is the best option for you.