Federal Lawsuits Say Makers of Abilify Hid Risk of Compulsive Gambling, Other Compulsive Behaviors

MINNEAPOLIS — Two federal lawsuits have been filed against the makers of Abilify, accusing them of failing to warn doctors and patients that the antidepressant can cause compulsive gambling or other compulsive behaviors.

In the complaints, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota on Jan. 12 and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Jan. 13, plaintiffs allege defendants are well aware that Abilify causes pathological gambling, yet refuse to add a warning indicating as such to the drug’s label.

Abilify, an atypical anti-psychotic drug, was developed by defendant Otsuka …