What is the Abilify Lawsuit?
Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medicine that was introduced by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals in 2002. Since then, it has been widely prescribed in the United States to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorders, irritability, and other behavioral issues.
However, clinical research, as well as countless personal incidents, have revealed several devastating side effects of the drug. Namely, in adults, Abilify may increase the risk of compulsive gambling and other impulse control disorders. When prescribed to children “off-label” for behavioral issues, Abilify may also greatly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for patients under the age of 18.
If you or someone you love have been diagnosed with either compulsive gambling disorder or type 2 diabetes after taking Abilify, you may be eligible to file for damages. More details can be found below.
Abilify and Compulsive Gambling
It is always the manufacturer’s obligation to provide an adequate warning label for products with potentially devastating side effects. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Abilify until the FDA intervened in May 2016, and as a result, countless patients with no history of compulsive behaviors unexpectedly suffered grave financial and emotional damages.
Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is a serious condition that affects the brain much like alcohol and drug addiction. The defining trait of compulsive gambling is that the urge to gamble becomes uncontrollable, in spite of the financial, social, and emotional tolls it takes on the individual and their loved ones. These harmful effects can include:
- Severe financial loss in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Family conflicts and divorce
- Legal consequences
- Problems with employment/unemployment
- Substantial debt
- Reputation damage
- Emotional damage
Bristol-Myers Squibb knowingly downplayed these risks, abusing the trust of the medical community and individual consumers who relied on the drug for its antipsychotic and mood stabilizing properties.
Abilify and Type 2 Diabetes
Although Abilify was originally intended for adults, in recent years it has also been prescribed “off-label” to children for attention, behavior, and mood disorders. Unfortunately, studies have shown that children under the age of 18 who have been prescribed atypical antipsychotics such as Abilify are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to children who were prescribed other medications for the same conditions. Signs of type 2 diabetes include:
- Excessive and rapid weight gain
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- High blood sugar
- Extreme hunger
If you believe that your child may be suffering from or at risk of developing diabetes, contact your physician immediately. If your child is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after taking Abilify, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers.
Scientific Studies on Abilify
Reports of Pathological Gambling, Hypersexuality, and Compulsive Shopping Associated with Dopamine Receptor Agonist Drugs. Read more at JAMA Internal Medicine.
Pathological Gambling and the Treatment of Psychosis with Aripiprazole: Case Reports. Read more at The British Journal of Psychiatry.
Antipsychotic Drug Use in Children for Mood/Behavior Disorders Increases Type 2 Diabetes Risk. Read more at Vanderbilt University.
Abilify in News
Commonly Used Drug Can Cause Uncontrollable Urge to Gamble and Have Sex, FDA says. Read more at STAT.
Hundreds Consider Lawsuit Against Abilify; Claim it Causes Compulsive Behavior. Read more at WTVM.