A Mississippi man has filed an Abilify lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb and is joining the MDL against the drug manufacturer. He claims that because of Abilify and its compulsive behavior complications, he suffered from gambling addiction.

He and many others each year are forced to seek out gambling addiction help and help for other compulsive behaviors because of Abilify use.

What is Abilify?

Abilify, generically known as aripiprazole, is an antipsychotic that has been used to treat depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 and has been highly successful. It is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb.

However, research has connected Abilify with compulsive behaviors like compulsive sexuality, compulsive shopping, compulsive gambling and other addictive behaviors. These behaviors were noted in people who had not had any history of the compulsive behaviors beforehand. But these behaviors stopped when the drug was also stopped.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) conducted a study that found medications like Abilify that affect the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain can lead to impulsive control disorders of a severe nature. Dopamine allows a person to feel pleasurable feelings and may affect their desire to keep doing an activity that makes them feel this way.

Abilify is a partial dopamine receptor agonist and this study found that “Severe impulse control disorders involving pathological gambling, hypersexuality, and compulsive shopping have been reported in association with the use of dopamine receptor agonist drugs.”

Gambling Addiction Lawsuit

Plaintiff Elliot R. says he took Abilify from 2007 to 2009. He claims he was injured by Abilfy because of “Compulsive gambling and the financial losses incurred thereby.” Additionally, he claims that he was “further injured because the compulsive gambling negatively impacted [his] personal relationships with family and friends.”

Elliot also says in his gambling addiction lawsuit that the compulsive gambling brought on by Abilify use further increased his anxiety and stress as well as depression and emotional distress.

In this gambling addiction lawsuit, Elliot is bringing forth multiple claims including strict liability, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, negligence per se, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, violation of consumer protection laws, fraudulent concealment and others.

This Gambling Addiction Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01366-MCR-GRJ in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division.

Gambling Addiction Help

Like Elliot, many patients who must take Abilify experience compulsive behaviors including compulsive gambling. If a patient must see gambling addiction help, this can be costly. Filing a gambling addiction lawsuit can help recover the costs associated with acquiring gambling addiction help and lost wages.

Many plaintiffs believe that Abilify drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb knew or should have known about possible compulsive behavior addiction risks and should, therefore, be held responsible for the costs associated with finding gambling addiction help or help for other addictive behaviors.

If you or someone you love is an Abilify patient and has had to pay for gambling addiction help, you may be eligible for legal compensation.