Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the market in 2002, Abilify has been prescribed for treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major despressive disorders, aggression, mood swings, and other psychological problems.
Studies have linked Abilify to gambling addiction and other compulsive behaviors, including sexual addictions, compulsive shopping and compulsive eating.
In May 2016, FDA issued a drug dafety communication and announced that stronger warnings regarding these issues would be added to the Abilify label and related medications. On August 18, 2016, the new label advised:
- Patients that they may not be able to recognize a compulisive behavior as unsual,
- Healthcare providers should specifically ask patients about any new urges to gamble, shop, eat or engage in sexual behaviors, and
- Abilify treatment should stop in patients who experience uncontrollable urges
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine in 2014 suggested that use of Abilify could be related to gambling addictions, risky sexual behavior, and compulsive shopping. Researchers from the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), Harvard Medical School and the University of Ottawa evaluated a class of drugs, including Abilify, known as dopamine receptor agonists, most commonly prescribed for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, Tourette’s Syndrome, Autism, Depression, Schizophrenia, hyperprolactinemia and Bi-Polar disorder. The study’s findings showed a link between these types of drugs and compulsive gambling and impulse control problems. [http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1916909 – Jama -Reports of Pathological Gambling, Hypersexuality, and Compulsive Shopping Associated With Dopamine Receptor Agonist Drugs 2014].
On October 2016, the Juridsdictional Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued a transfer order consolidating pretrial proceedings for Abilify gambling lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida under the Honorable Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Plaintiffs in the lawsuits assert that they suffered substantial financial loss from gambling while prescribed Abilify.
Contact an Abilify Attorney
The attorneys of Wright & Schulte work every day to preserve the rights of personal injury victims, one case and one client at a time. If you or a loved one are suffering from any of the side effects listed above while prescribed Abilify and you’re looking for a personal injury law firm that will guarantee the caring, personalized, and loyal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte today. For a free, no obligation legal evaluation of your case, fill out the online form, or give Wright & Schulte a call, toll-free, at 1-800-399-0795.
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