Pharmaceutical giants Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals are facing new Abilify lawsuit from a Texas man alleging major financial damage soon after taking the medication.

The man alleges a correlation between Abilify and compulsive behaviors, after reportedly developing a gambling addiction during his prescription use.

Plaintiff Jeremiah Y. is filing legal action against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, alleging the companies failed to adequately warn him against the alleged Abilify and compulsive behaviors correlation.

According to Jeremiah, he developed compulsive gambling and spending habits soon after starting his Abilify prescription in 2011.

Since his Abilify prescription ended, Jeremiah reports that his gambling and spending urges have significantly decreased. Jeremiah claims his compulsive spending habits directly stem from the alleged Abilify complications.

Jeremiah had filed legal action soon after 2016, after the alleged correlation between Abilify and compulsive behaviors connection was announced by the FDA.

Furthermore, Jeremiah claims that there was no way he could have reasonably discovered the alleged correlation between Abilify and compulsive behaviors before that time.

Jeremiah states there were no warnings or indications of compulsive behaviors on the drug label, with the alleged relationship between Abilify and compulsive behaviors not disclosed until 2016.

Overview of Abilify Compulsive Behaviors Correlation

Abilify was first released in the United States in 2002, after being approved for antipsychotic treatment purposes by the FDA. This medication if often prescribed to patients with extreme mental disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, along with depression and Tourette’s syndrome.

The medication works by balancing the serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, which is supposed to produce increased mental functioning.

However this treatment mechanism allegedly caused the cognitive impairment, which resulted in the alleged compulsive behaviors reported.

According to a recent report by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), certain medications that manipulate dopamine levels may result in “severe impulse control disorders.”

With dopamine being the brain chemical for pleasure and reward, natural inhibitions like caution are shut down.

There have been problems with Abilify and compulsive behaviors found in at least 37 reports, with the FDA eventually announcing the alleged correlation in 2016.

It is important to note that European and Canadian health officials announced the alleged correlation at an earlier time, while the American public received the news at a later time.

Jeremiah is filing this Abilify lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals for failure to warn, along with multiple counts of negligence. Jeremiah is seeking compensation for all financial damages, along with any additional interest.

The Abilify Lawsuit is Case No. 4:16-cv-3658, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.