ABILIFY LAWSUITS
Nebraska and Iowa Abilify Patients
Abilify is a prominent doctor-prescribed antipsychotic medication taken by millions of patients every day to control the symptoms of Depression, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder. Abilify works to alter the chemistry of the brain to help patients balance the shifts that come with these mental disorders. Abilify is also used in conjunction with other antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs to balance the chemistry of the brain. While the drug has helped thousands to control their symptoms, not all users are receive the same positive outcomes.
In recent months, the popular antipsychotic drug has been linked to compulsive behavior. A current lawsuit claims that Abilify led one patient to compulsively gamble, leading to a personal loss of over $75,000.
Uses of Abilify
Though Abilify is typically associated with depression and the treatment of depression, it is proven to be effective in treating schizophrenia, aggression, mood swings, and more. The drug works by altering the chemistry of the user’s brain by producing more dopamine, the chemical produced by the reward centers in the human brain, therefore helping to alleviate mood swings and feelings of depression.
Abilify and Compulsive Gambling
The drug has been linked to dopamine overstimulating areas of the brain where Abilify works to alter brain chemistry. In a recent study conducted by the British Journal of Psychology, findings suggest that Abilify can overstimulate the dopamine producing centers of the brain causing patients to be over-rewarded for their behaviors, pushing them to act impulsively.
Pathological gambling has been reported in several patients taking the drug which creates both personal and familial strife. Some of the side effects of pathological gambling are as follows:
- Personal debt above and beyond normal debt
- Divorce as a result of debt or gambling
- Unemployment from gambling
- Bankruptcy from debt and gambling
- Home foreclosure from debt and gambling
- Damaged reputationEmotional trauma
Failure to Warn Users
At the heart of the lawsuit is the claim that the drug maker knew of the potential for Abilify to cause overstimulation and compulsive behavior. The lawsuit claims the drug company knew Abilify had the potential to cause such behaviors as compulsive shopping, hypersexual activity, and gambling addiction.
The drug increases the production of dopamine in the brain. When increased levels of dopamine are introduced into the brain it is far more likely that the user will continue with impulsive behaviors as their brain is giving them more reward for their behavior than they should be given.
Since the creation of the suit, the FDA has issued a drug safety communication warning users of the potential link between Abilify and impulsive behaviors. The warning states that the drug has the potential to cause uncontrollable urges to gamble, binge eat, shop and have sex. These warnings will be added to the drug label.
Other Possible Side Effects of Abilify Use
Though impulsive behavior such as gambling and sex addiction are not common, there are other serious side effects that users should be made aware of. They include:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach Pain
- Increased Appetite
- Weight Gain
- Increased Salivation
- Pain in the arms, legs, or joints
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Nervousness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Chest Pain
- High Fever
- Changes in Vision
If you experience one or more of these symptoms it is in your best interest to contact your doctor immediately to determine the safest proper course of action.
Why Take Legal Action?
No one ever takes a drug expecting that it is going to change their life for the worse. Most users begin taking new drugs with the hope their problems will begin to dissipate and they will be able to live a normal, happy life. Users of Abilify, including patients in Omaha and the surrounding areas, were not properly warned of the potential dangerous side effects of this drug and as such, they should be compensated.
Patients that have experienced side effects like compulsive gambling, sex addiction, or shopping addiction should not have to suffer because a drug company failed to properly identify and label potential disastrous side-effects of taking their drug.
Though the damage may already be done, the Abilify Lawyers at Inserra | Kelley | Sewell, LLC can help you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve to help get your life back on track and begin rebuilding what this dangerous drug has destroyed. ISK Lawyers have the ability to adequately and accurately relate your own personal story so you might find justice for the gross error that the makers of Abilify made.
Let Us Fight for You
Inserra | Kelley | Sewell, Injury Attorneys are on your side and want to help you get your life back on track. Contact us today for more information and to get your life back.
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