A Maryland Abilify lawyer may be able to help patients who suffered serious complications after taking the prescription antipsychotic. Abilify is a prescription medication used to treat certain mental illnesses and disorders. Lawsuits allege that the drug may lead patients to experience serious complications, including compulsive gambling as well as other compulsive diorders. Affected patients and their families may be able to pursue compensation with the help of a Maryland Abilify lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Maryland today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Maryland Abilify lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Abilify?
Abilify is an anti-psychotic medication used to treat patients with autism, schizophrenia, Tourette’s and bipolar or manic depression. By affecting the way that the brain’s chemicals interact, the medicine can be used alone or in combination with additional drugs for patients with severe depression. While taking the drug, it is important that patients visit a doctor regularly so that the doctor can monitor any changes in the patient that may signal negative reactions like suicidal thoughts.
Common Side Effects of Abilify
There are many side effects associated with the use of Abilify. The drug’s official website lists the most common side effects in children as follows:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Weight gain
- Vomiting
Children have also reported disorders relating to movement, such as stiffness in the muscles and tremors. The side effects occurring in adults are often different than those in children. Adult side effects include anxiety, dizziness, constipation and insomnia.
There are also several side effects that aren’t as common, but can pose serious risks. Ones to watch out for include:
- Altered blood levels of lipids and cholesterol
- Choking or aspiration caused by issues with swallowing
- Lowered levels of white blood cells key for battling infection
- Tardive dyskinesia, which affects the ability to control movements and may be permanent
- Lightheadedness or fainting caused by a decrease in blood pressure
- Seizures
In addition to these serious side effects, there are also possible side effects that can lead to death. One of the most serious complications is neuroleptic malignant syndrome. This condition causes patients to develop a high fever and experience an altered heart rate and pulse, as well as confusion, stiff muscles and sweating. Patients suffering from mental health issues related to dementia are at a higher risk of suffering a stroke or mini-stroke if they take Abilify.
Effects Prompting a Maryland Abilify Lawsuit
In May of 2016, a warning was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concerning additional side effects not adequately explained by the manufacturers of Abilify. According to the FDA, drug labels do list pathological gambling as a possible reaction, but fail to fully expound upon the compulsive, addictive behaviors that have begun to be associated with patients taking the drug. Researchers claim that the impulse-control issues typically begin soon after the patient initiates use of the medication and cease once consumption is halted.
So far, the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System lists 184 such cases since November 2002 that tie the behaviors to the drug. No previous compulsive behaviors were reported in most of the cases listed. While the majority of the cases involved pathological gambling, there have also been claims that the drug induced uncontrollable urges to have sex, shop and eat. The Jama Internal Medicine Journal released a study that verifies the FDA’s findings and identifies 1,580 examples of the behaviors claimed to be associated with the drug.
Patients who have suffered these side effects have sought legal help to file claims against the drug’s manufacturer for not disclosing the full extent and details of possible compulsive behaviors. These plaintiffs are seeking compensation for emotional, financial and physical damages caused by the detrimental behaviors associated with the use of the medication.
How a Maryland Abilify Lawyer Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Maryland. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
