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Abilify Compulsive Gambling

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Abilify (aripiprazole), an atypical antipsychotic medication that has been used to treat millions of patients with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and other psychiatric disorders may be associated with compulsive gambling and similar impulsive behaviors. A growing number of Abilify lawsuits have been filed in U.S. courts by individuals who allegedly incurred significant financial and emotional damages due to pathological gambling associated with its use.

Filing an Abilify Lawsuit Can Help

Compulsive gambling can take a devastating toll on a victim’s personal and professional life. If you developed a gambling habit after beginning treatment with Abilify, you may be entitled to compensation for your related damages, including:

• Gambling Debts
• Lost Savings
• Losses From Day Trading/Stock Market Losses
• Unemployment/Job Loss
• Damage to Reputation
• Severe Emotional Distress

To learn more about your legal options, please contact Bernstein Liebhard LLP at (888) 994-5118 to arrange for a free, no-obligation review of your Abilify compulsive gambling case.

Breaking News: FDA Alerts Public to Abilify Compulsive Gambling Risk

In May 2016, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that aripiprazole had been linked to nearly 200 reports of  compulsive gambling and other impulsive behaviors, including binge eating, compulsive shopping, and sexual action.  The majority of reports involved patients with no prior history of impulse control issues, and in which the behavior stopped once treatment with the drug cease or dosage was decreased. The findings prompted the FDA to add stronger warnings regardng impulse control issues to the Abilify label. Read More

Abilify: What’s the Problem?

Abilify works by affecting the dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, both of which are related to feelings of pleasure and motivation. Some research has indicated that Abilify may over-stimulate dopamine reward receptors, which could lead to the development of compulsive behaviors, including pathological gambling.

Warning signs of a compulsive gambling problem include:

• Feeling a “thrill” or “high” when taking a risk on gambling
• Taking increasingly bigger risks when gambling
• Obsession with gambling
• Derive enjoyment from reliving past gambling experiences
• Using gambling as an escape from depression, guilt or helplessness
• Neglecting family or professional responsibilities to gamble
• Lying about gambling
• Taking steps to hide gambling
• Guilty feelings after gambling
• Stealing or borrowing in order to gamble
• Inability to cut back on gambling

Abilify Gambling Warnings & Reports

As of January 2016, the U.S. label for Abilify did not include any mention of pathological gambling. However, this compulsive behavior is noted on the labeling in other countries.

• Since 2012, the European label for Abilify has noted pathological gambling as a possible side effect: “Post-marketing reports of pathological gambling have been reported among patients prescribed aripiprazole, regardless of whether these patients had a prior history of gambling. Patients with a prior history of pathological gambling may be at increased risk and should be monitored carefully.”
• In 2015, Canadian drug safety officials warned that Abilify may cause users to suffer impulse control problems, including problems with uncontrollable gambling. A review conducted by Health Canada identified at least 18 cases internationally where Abilify users began to exhibit compulsive gambling behavior. In 14 cases, the gambling issues ceased after treatment with Abilify ended.
• The ISMP’s January 2016 QuarterWatch Report revealed that during the previous year, the FDA’s Adverse Event Database  had received 147 reports of pathological gambling that may have been induced by Abilify. Read More

Abilify Study Confirms Gambling Link

Findings from a new study set to be published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology in February 201y suggest that patients who take Abilify are five times more likely to develop a gambling addiction than those who do not use the drug. The risk of impulse control disorder appears to be nearly eight times higher.  Read More

Abilify Legal Consultations

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is providing free, no-obligation legal reviews to anyone who allegedly developed a compulsive gambling habit while using Abilify. To discuss your legal options with one of our attorneys, please call (888) 994-5118.