The first three trials in an Abilify MDL have now been scheduled. Lawsuits in the Abilify MDL allege that the popular antipsychotic drug has serious side effects that patients were not adequately warned about.

The Abilify MDL includes cases from all over the country, from California to New York. Plaintiffs allege that Abilify’s manufacturer failed to warn them that the drug can cause “uncontrollable compulsive behaviors.”

These initial trials, set to begin this summer, were chosen from a pool of around 750 total cases in the Abilify MDL. These three are not intended as bellwether trials, since their selection is not purposely or randomly representative of the Abilify MDL as a whole. Instead, they were chosen because of their convenient eligibility for trial in the Northern District of Florida without needing a waiver. The order in which the trials will take place is, however, randomized.

Each of the first three trials in the Abilify MDL is expected to take about two weeks, the plaintiffs and drug makers agreed.

Abilify Background

Abilify (also known by its generic name, aripiprazole) is a popular antipsychotic drug manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. Abilify is used to treat a variety of mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. It now brings in billions of dollars annually, but despite its popularity and widespread use, concerning reports have linked Abilify with severe compulsive behavior side effects.

Abilify Side Effects Include Compulsive Behaviors

Studies have shown 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.

For instance, compulsive gambling may become so severe that people are driven to gamble even when they do not have the financial capacity to do so, using credit cards or borrowing money, which can land patients in extremely steep debt. This may not directly cause physical harm, but 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. And even when patients do manage to recover from the mental effects of Abilify and compulsive behavior, they may be left with severe financial consequences.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Abilify Compulsive Behavior Side Effects

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

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 Abilify lawsuit.