Joanna Szabo  |  April 6, 2016

Category: Legal News

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Teilansicht eines RoulettetellersAn class action lawsuit was filed by a group of Australian citizens against Pfizer over the serious side effects linked to certain antipsychoctic drugs that are similar to Ability.

The drugs targeted in the lawsuit are allegedly linked to impulsive behavior like gambling and sex addiction. Though this particular compulsive gambling lawsuit was filed by Australian citizens against Pfizer, there are a number of similar drugs marketed in the United States that are now being investigated for similar side effects. One of these drugs is the popular antipsychotic medication Abilify.

The Australian medication lawsuit against Pfizer was settled for what is believed to be millions of dollars. The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of over 170 patients who claim to have suffered from addictive behaviors like out-of-control gambling and sex addiction as a result of an antipsychotic drug.

The settlement is awaiting court approval and has been slightly delayed because of complaints about the legitimacy of some of the plaintiffs’ claims. Despite the delay, the judge has said that the complaints are expected to be resolved quickly so that the settlement negotiations can continue.

The drugs involved in the Australian lawsuit are Casaber and Dostinex. These drugs are part of a class of drugs called dopamine receptor agonists. Casaber and Dostinex, as well as others in its group, are used to treat a variety of problems, including Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, and hyperprolactinemia.

The dopamine receptor agonists like Casaber and Dostinex were linked to impulsive behavioral problems in a recent study by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The impulse control problems found in the study were linked with side effects such as compulsive gambling and sex addiction, as well as other problems. These compulsive issues can have a severe and problematic influence on a person’s life, as well as the lives of their families.

While this class action lawsuit was filed in Australia, there are currently six dopamine receptor agonists that have been FDA-approved and marketed in the United States.

Two of these six drugs, Mirapex and Requip, were most strongly linked with impulse control problems like hypersexuality and compulsive gambling. In some cases, the drugs were linked with compulsive shopping.

Abilify, an atypical antipsychotic, was also linked with impulse control problems like compulsive gambling. At least 37 reports of impulse control problems have been reported involving Abilify specifically.

According to the researchers, the manufacturers of these drugs failed to adequately warn the public and the medical community about the life-altering impulse behavior problems associated with the drugs. Information about the risk of impulse control problems dates back to 2009.

The warning label on Abilify does not include the risk of compulsive behaviors like gambling or shopping addictions. Some Abilify users have lost a great deal of money through gambling debt and/or gambling addiction treatment. Compulsive shopping can also have some major financial problems.

These issues are not only financially damaging – compulsive behaviors of any kind can dramatically affect a person’s mental health and his or her personal life.

In 2009, a study found that about 18 percent of Parkinson’s disease patients who take dopamine agonist drugs like Abilify suffer from compulsive behavior side effects.

What is Abilify?

Abilify (aripiprazole) is a top-selling antipsychotic drug from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb, generating over $7.9 billion in sales annually. Abilify is used to treat a variety of mental disorders. These include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Abilify Lawsuits

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by compulsive behaviors such as gambling or sex addiction after taking Abilify or a similar drug, you may able to join an Abilify lawsuit investigation.

20 thoughts onAntipsychotic Drugs Linked to Gambling Addictions, Lawsuit Says

  1. Deb says:

    I’m in the same boat as the rest of you. Thousands of dollars gone and had to back to work when I should be retired. I wondered why I had no control. It took about 6 months to get it out of my system, but I’m back in control. No more uncontrollable urges. Unfortunately it’s to late for my retirement funds

  2. Shannen says:

    I’m on Rexulti as a last shot at hope for schizophrenia. I spend more money at the casino and on scratch off lottery tickets. I’ve probably spent every bit of $100,000 in 3 years

  3. Jill says:

    How can we begin a class action suit. My story is just like most your irrational behavior. I lost a couple hudred of thousands!!! Those RLS drugs ruined my life!

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