Abilify Lawsuit News: Bernstein Liebhard LLP Notes FDA Warning Regarding Abilify and Compulsive Gambling, Other Impulsive Behaviors

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about a possible association between the use of Abilify and gambling addiction (http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/abilify/compulsive-gambling/), as well as other impulsive behaviors, such as compulsive shopping, binge eating and sexual actions. According to an alert issued by the agency on May 3, 2016, a review of its adverse event database and the available scientific literature revealed 184 case reports that suggest a possible association between the use of aripiprazole and impulse-control problems. All of the cases occurred from November 2002 through mid-January 2016. The majority of reports involved compulsive gambling (154), while the remaining involved compulsive sexual behavior (9); compulsive buying (4); compulsive eating (3); and multiple impulse-control problems (4). These uncontrollable urges were reported to have stopped when the medicine was discontinued or the dose was reduced.

Mention of compulsive gambling as a possible side effect was already included on the labels for Abilify and other aripiprazole medications. However, the FDA has determined that this description does not entirely reflect the nature of the impulse-control risk identified by its review. As such, the agency is adding new warnings to the labels and the patient Medication Guides for all aripiprazole products, including Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada, and generics.

"Our Firm recently launched an investigation of Abilify and compulsive behaviors, and we have heard from a number of individuals who allegedly developed gambling addictions and other impulse control problems related to its use. We are pleased that the FDA has taken steps to warn the public of this important issue," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The Firm is now offering free, no-obligation case reviews to Abilify patients whose gambling addiction or other compulsive behaviors were allegedly caused by this medication.

Abilify Litigation
Abilify is an atypical antipsychotic marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. It is indicated to treat schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and other psychiatric disorders in adults and children. Among other things, Abilify partially blocks the brain's dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers.

Court documents indicate that a number of Abilify lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of patients who allegedly developed gambling addictions due to its use. In March, New Jersey's Bergen County Superior Court consolidated nine Abilify gambling cases for the purposes of pretrial proceedings. According to the New Jersey Law Journal, similar lawsuits have been filed in New York, Indiana, Florida and Minnesota.

Abilify users who developed a compulsive gambling habit or other impulse control issues allegedly related to the use of this medication may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about filing an Abilify lawsuit, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call the Firm directly at 800-511-5092.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

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Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/
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