The attorneys at Gallon, Takacs & Boissoneault are investigating allegations that Abilify, an anti-psychotic medication has led some users to gambling, addictions, sexual behavior, overeating and compulsive shopping. If you or someone you know developed compulsive behaviors after using Abilify, contact us today. Find out if you can seek compensation for your injuries by completing our free case evaluation.

From 2009-2011 the FDA received over two thousand reports of adverse affects from Abilify use, including gambling addictions, sexual behavior, overeating, and even compulsive shopping.

Abilify is an antipsychotic medication introduced in 2002 by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals. The medication was introduced with the purpose of being an add-on treatment when the original anti-depressant treatment is not effective. In 2008, Abilify was approved to be used for maintenance treatment in children with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Today, Abilify is prescribed to treat:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Irritability
• Aggression
• Mood swings
• And more

From 2009-2011 the FDA received over two thousand reports of adverse affects from Abilify use, including gambling addictions, sexual behavior, overeating, and even compulsive shopping. Gambling addictions have a significant impact on individuals that may lead to debt, divorce, unemployment, reputation damage, and emotional damage. Studies have found that when an individual experiences these compulsive behaviors while taking Abilify, terminating use stops the compulsive behavior.

To this day, no recall has been made against Abilify by the FDA. Abilify’s label warns of potential side effects that include suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of death in the elderly, but it fails to mention anything about compulsive behavior. In 2015, Health Canada issued a safety alert advising doctors and patients of this increased risk of pathological gambling with Abilify use. Health Canada required the manufacturers to update the prescribing information to include a warning about uncontrollable impulsive gambling.

In May of 2016 the FDA issued a drug safety communication indicating that the label of all drugs similar to and including Abilify would be changed to include new warnings on compulsive behaviors such as gambling, sexual behaviors, shopping, and eating. This warning was prompted by the FDA’s review of almost two hundred cases between 2002 and 2016 suggesting a link between Abilify’s use and impulse control problems.

A motion was filed in June 2016 requesting that over twenty Abilify compulsive behavior lawsuits be consolidated into one MDL to make things easier for both defendants and plaintiffs.

If you have experienced compulsive behaviors after taking Abilify, please contact our firm at 1-800-GALLON1 (1-800-425-5661) or fill out a free case evaluation.