On May 3 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the makers of Abilify (aripiprazole) must add new warnings to drug labels about the increased risk of compulsive gambling and other compulsive behaviors. According to the FDA: “Although pathological gambling is listed as a reported side effect in the current aripiprazole drug labels, this description does not entirely reflect the nature of the impulse-control risk that we identified.”
The announcement goes on to say: “In the majority of cases, patients with no prior history of the compulsive behaviors experienced uncontrollable urges only after starting aripiprazole treatment. Within days to weeks of reducing the dose or discontinuing aripiprazole, these uncontrollable urges stopped.”
Case Study Associates Abilify with an Increased Risk of Compulsive Behavior
Abilify, an antipsychotic drug used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, has previously been linked to compulsive gambling. A case study in the journal Current Drug Safety reported several cases of compulsive gambling in patients who took Abilify. According to the report, none of the patients had a history of compulsive gambling habits, and the gambling addictions ended once they stopped taking Abilify.
Are You in Serious Debt After Taking Abilify?
In some cases, people have accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in gambling debt while taking Abilify. Acquiring severe debt can negatively impact your credit history. Excessive debt and poor credit has negative consequences such as:
- Inability or difficulty obtaining a mortgage, car loan or cell phone contract
- High interest rates on your credit cards
- Denial of employment
- Harassing calls from debt collectors
File an Abilify Lawsuit Today
If you or a loved one developed a serious gambling problem while taking Abilify, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation. Your time to file a claim may be limited. Call the number on the top of the page to speak directly with one of our case managers or complete and submit the form on the right.
Abilify® is a registered trademark of Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Note: Do not change medications without first consulting your doctor.
