The Higgins Firm is Now Reviewing Abilify Claims

Nashville Attorneys, The Higgins Firm, are closely looking into Abilify lawsuits and claims which have raised concern amongst professionals after a number of people were said to have developed a gambling disorder, diabetes or other potentially harmful uncontrollable urges while taking the drug. These urges, the Abilify lawyers go on to say, appeared to have ceased once the medication was discontinued.

The antipsychotic drug Abilify, also known as aripiprazole, is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Lawsuits against these companies state that they failed to provide sufficient warnings on the label of the drug and neglected to properly educate the prescribing doctors of Abilify’s’ side effects.

FDA’s Warning to Abilify Users

On May 3, 2016, the FDA has sent out a warning to Abilify users letting them know potential risks or urges associated with the use. According to the warning, these uncontrollable urges may occur in a small percentage of people and include gambling, binging on food, shopping and promiscuous sexual activity. The FDA required new warnings to be added to the Abilify drug labels and asked doctors to better educate users before beginning treatment. In 2012, The EU and Canada also asked Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. to modify the labels’ warnings and side effects.

Since the FDA warning, the manufacturer has updated the labels for Abilify; even so, despite a number of studies, cases and research, the uncontrollable urges continue to present themselves in some patients. In Tennessee, Abilify lawyers understand the seriousness of the drugs’ side effects which may lead to family problems, job loss, legal issues, burdening debt and emotional stressors.

Abilify Compulsive Gambling Claims       

In January 2016, the first Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuit was filed in the United States. Since then, approximately 184 claims, which seek Abilify compensation from Myers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., have been filed.  Many of these claims allege the Abilify drug company manufacturer neglected to sufficiently warn patients and doctors about the potential emergence of compulsive behaviors.

In June 2016, one Abilify law firm filed a lawsuit which claimed the defendant “wrongfully and unjustly profited at the expense of patient safety and full disclosure.” The claim went on to discuss failing to include important warnings regarding the high risk of uncontrollable gambling urges, even though it was previously known by Myers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. after similar complaints  were filed against them by the EU in 2012. The lawsuit alleges the patient developed compulsive gambling disorder shortly after taking Abilify; once he discontinued the drug two years later, a decrease in the gambling urge followed suit. The plaintiff contends Abilify led to financial loss which may have been avoided if adequate warnings were listed on the packaging.

Weight Gain Abilify Legal Claims

Apart from Abilify compulsive gambling lawsuits, lawyers may also be interested in other possible claims which could be associated with the antipsychotic medication. For instance, various side effects in adolescents and children have been linked to Abilify. These may include rapid weight gain or type-2 diabetes.  In 2007, Myers Squibb Co. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. settled a suit with the U.S. Justice Department for erroneously marketing Abilify to children between 2002 and 2005.

Severe weight gain, which may have the ability to lead to serious health problems including diabetes, has also been noted in adult patients taking Abilify. Attorneys could also be interested in hearing a possible claim regarding this specific matter.

Seeking Compensation for Abilify and Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive gambling, or a potentially harmful uncontrollable urge of any kind, could lead to numerous problems. If you believe you or a family member incurred financial or emotional loss as a result of compulsive gambling and Abilify, legal compensation may be available. Due to each case being unique, it’s advisable to contact a Tennessee Ability lawyer such as The Higgins Firm for a free consultation at 1.800.705.2121.

Sources:

  1. FDA Warning: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm498823.htm
  2. Study: Reports of Pathological Gambling, Hypersexuality, and Compulsive Shopping Associated With Dopamine Receptor Agonist Drugs

http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1916909

  1. Study: Pathological gambling and the treatment of psychosis with aripiprazole: case reports

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/199/2/158

 

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