The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning of impulse control problems associated with the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd; Abilify Maintena, Otsuka; Aristada, Alkermes, Inc; and generics).
The drug has been associated with compulsive gambling, eating, shopping, and sexual activity. According to an FDA release, these urges reportedly cease when the drug is discontinued or the dose is reduced. The FDA also notes that although these effects are rare, they have the potential to cause harm to patients and others if they go unrecognized.
"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 FDA identified.
"In addition, FDA has 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, FDA is adding new warnings about all of these compulsive behaviors to the drug labels and the patient Medication Guides for all aripiprazole products," the FDA notes in its release.