(800) 766-1000Abilify (aripiprazole) is a popular antipsychotic medication prescribed to treat depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The manufacturers of Abilify (Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company) made $5.5 billion off of the medication in 2014 alone, but have come under heavy fire in recent years for adverse side effects not listed on the label. Product liability and dangerous drug claims have been filed due to Abilify’s link to compulsive behaviors such as excessive gambling, binge eating and hypersexuality.
If you or a loved one has developed a gambling addiction or another compulsive behavior while taking Abilify, please contact our product liability lawyers in Orlando today at (407) 712-7300 for a FREE consultation. Colling Gilbert Wright serve clients in Orlando, Florida and nationwide.
Compulsive Behavior in Abilify Patients
Compulsive behaviors may not pose an immediate physical risk to patients, but they can have a severe impact on their lives financially and emotionally. Some of the associated addictions may put men and women in danger when symptoms worsen and debt rises.
Individuals taking Abilify have developed behaviors such as:
- Excessive Gambling
- Binge Eating
- Excessive Shopping
- Hypersexuality
Dozens of product liability lawsuits have been filed against Bristol-Myers Squibb, most of which focus around compulsive gambling. Patients who had no history of gambling addiction developed the behavior while taking Abilify and later found themselves in debt amounting to tens of thousands of dollars.
Some patients who acquired these compulsive tendencies were able to treat their addiction through professional treatment, and the severity of the addiction subsided once they stopped taking Abilify. The prescription label warns of an increased risk of death in older patients who have dementia as well as suicidal thoughts, but no mention of compulsive behavior is listed.
Why File a Dangerous Drug Claim for Abilify?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers have an obligation to notify patients about the potential dangers associated with any form of medication. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company have made billions off of Abilify while underplaying the adverse side effects. Product liability lawsuits aim to not only provide appropriate compensation to patients and their families for any damages they’ve incurred but also to reprimand manufacturers and deter other pharmaceutical companies from using the same deceptive practices through punitive damages.
You or your loved one taking Abilify could be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Professional treatment costs for addictive behaviors.
- Psychological injuries.
- Money lost due to gambling.
- Loss of quality of life.
Past Abilify Lawsuits
This isn’t the first time Abilify manufacturers have faced litigation—In December 2016, a $20 million settlement was ordered after evidence showed Bristol-Myers Squibb engaged in misleading marketing and unfair trade practices. The company marketed Abilify to senior citizens to treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia even though the drug was not approved for these conditions.
Additionally, Abilify manufacturers marketed the medication to nursing homes and aging patients knowing full well that Abilify could increase the risk of death in elderly men and women. Bristol-Myers Squibb may have promoted the use of Abilify for children through deceptive marketing that minimized the drug’s risk, which is also not FDA-approved.
The manufacturer also paid a $515 million settlement in 2007 after marketing Abilify for off-label use in children and psychosis related to dementia.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Dangerous Drug Lawyer
Our lawyers specialize in product liability cases and know how to fight on your behalf against pharmaceutical giants such as Bristol-Myers Squibb. We can help you file your claim, compile evidence and get you and your family the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering and any financial loss due to compulsive behavior.
If you or a loved one developed a compulsive behavior while taking Abilify, please contact our lawyers in Orlando today at (407) 712-7300 for a free consultation. Colling Gilbert Wright serve clients across America including Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas.
