Rare but serious instances of impulse control problems have been reported in people taking the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole, according to a May 3 press release from the Food and Drug Administration.
Pathological gambling is listed as a side effect of aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada, and generics). Additional side effects seen in patients include compulsive eating, shopping, and sexual actions. The symptoms are rare but can affect anyone taking the medication and can result in serious harm to the patient.
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All compulsive symptoms stopped when patients stopped taking aripiprazole or reduced their dosage. The FDA will add new warnings about the symptoms to all drug labels and patient medication guides.
“Health care professionals should make patients and caregivers aware of the risk of these uncontrollable urges when prescribing aripiprazole, and specifically ask patients about any new or increasing urges while they are being treated with aripiprazole. Closely monitor for new or worsening uncontrollable urges in patients at higher risk for impulse control problems,” the FDA said in the press release.
Find the full press release on the FDA website.