Compulsive Behavior Caused by Prescription and Generic Abilify Is Ruining Lives

In May 2015, Bristol-Meyers Squibb took a massive financial hit when their patent for the prescription drug Abilify (aripiprazole) expired. Prior to the patent expiration, Abilify was the best-selling drug in the nation; Bristol-Meyers Squibb sold nearly $6.5 billion of it in 2013. The drug, used to treat neurological conditions from depression to Tourette’s syndrome to schizophrenia, always warned doctors and patients that compulsive behavior was a possible side effect, but that warning wasn’t strong enough.

More prescriptions than ever

When the pharmaceutical giant’s patent expired in 2015, the market was flooded with lower cost generics. Prescriptions of aripiprazole spiked as the drug became more accessible, which increased the likelihood of patients experiencing side effects. It took an entire year, but the US Food & Drug Administration finally addressed the issue this past May in a Safety Alert.

The Safety Alert tells us this:

“Although pathological gambling is listed as a reported side effect in the current aripiprazole drug labels, this description does not entirely reflect the nature of the impulse-control risk that we identified. In addition, we have become aware of other compulsive behaviors associated with aripiprazole, such as compulsive eating, shopping, and sexual actions. These compulsive behaviors can affect anyone who is taking the medicine. As a result, we are adding new warnings about all of these compulsive behaviors to the drug labels and the patient Medication Guides for all aripiprazole products.”

The new warnings are intended to prevent the problem from happening to future patients, but don’t address the problems caused for past victims. Rikki Carlson of Massachusetts is just one of the dozens of plaintiffs who have filed suit against the drug maker. Business Wire reported, “The Complaint alleges that Abilify harmed Ms. Carlson by causing compulsive behaviors including compulsive gambling, shopping, and binge eating, causing her substantial financial, mental, and physical damages.”

What you don’t know CAN hurt you

Worst of all, patients are unable to recognize these behaviors as atypical or as a sign that anything is wrong. They literally can’t help themselves. In Ms. Carlson’s case, she gained a significant amount of weight while she lost nearly $40,000 and her financial stability. Bristol-Meyers Squibb warned consumers and healthcare professionals about the side effect, but not the extent. For that, and the real damages caused to real victims, the company is responsible and should be held accountable for reparations.

If you or someone you love was suffered side effects of a medication that resulted in financial, psychological, emotional or physical harm, you may be entitled to compensation. At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC, our South Carolina defective drug attorneys have the experience fighting big drug companies in court that your family needs to get the compensation they deserve. Don’t wait, call 803-327-7800 or contact us today for a free consultation.