Rexulti Lawsuit
Popular antipsychotic drug Rexulti (brexpiprazole) has been linked to compulsive behaviors including: gambling, sex, shopping and eating. Patients who have experienced these devastating symptoms have begun to file lawsuits against Rexulti’s manufacturer, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.
Brexpiprazole, developed by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and marketed as Rexulti, is a “serotonin–dopamine activity modulator” (SDAM) used to treat schizophrenia. Additionally, it serves as an adjunct for major depressive disorder (MDD).
This drug has also been linked to serious changes in behavior, which can cause patients to develop uncontrollable urges to eat, shop, gamble or engage in dangerous sexual acts.
Unfortunately these compulsive gambling behaviors may be hard for a patient to identify until they have permanently, and negatively, impacted the lives of themselves and those around them.
Lawyers have begun to investigate the filing of lawsuits against Otsuka Pharmaceuticals for Rexulti side effects.
What Does Rexulti Treat?
Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is used in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Schizophrenia
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
In addition to “on-label” use, Rexulti is often prescribed off-label to treat:
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention deficit disorder (ADHD),
- Anxiety
- Behavioral disturbances of dementia and severe geriatric agitation
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Insomnia
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use and dependence disorders
- Tourette’s syndrome
Rexulti Side Effects
Like most antipsychotics, Rexulti comes with a long list of potential side effects. These range from common symptoms like mild agitation, to adverse reactions like seizures and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults (for which the drug received a Black Box Warning from the FDA).
If you or a loved on has experienced any of the following symptoms while taking Rexulti, contact your healthcare provider immediately:
Common Rexulti Side Effects
- Weight gain
- Agitation
- Distress
- Restlessness
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Changes in nose mucus production
- Increased appetite
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Tremor
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
Severe Rexulti Side Effects
- Increased mortality in elderly patients with Dementia-related sychosis
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents and young adults
- Cerebrovascular adverse reactions including stroke in elderly patients
- Dementia-related psychosis
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
- Tardive dyskinesia
- Metabolic changes
- Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis
- Orthostatic hypotension and syncope
- Irregular body temperature
- Dysphagia
- Cognitive and motor impairment
Rexulti FDA Black Box Warnings
Rexulti Black Box Warning – Drug Label Form FDA
The FDA has issued its most severe type of warning for Rexulti two times, for two separate conditions caused by the drug. Known as a “Black Box Warning”, these cautions are reserved for drugs that have been linked to hazardous side effects or conditions.
The warning indicates patients taking Rexulti should avoid dehydrating or getting too hot. It even states, “Avoid getting over-heated or dehydrated…Do not wear too much or heavy clothing.”
Rexulti Compulsive Gambling
In addition to Rexulti’s listed side effects and its two Black Box Warnings, the drug has also been shown to cause another disturbing condition which affects patients ability to control and regulate urges.
This can result in compulsive eating, shopping, sexual behavior and gambling. Patients who have been affected by these conditions often have no idea that it is linked to their medication. The next section lists how a Rexulti patient may identify if he/she has a problem with gambling.
How Do I Know If I Have A Gambling Problem?
Compulsive gambling can be caused by many factors including Rexulti use. If you identify with any of the following warning signs, contact your doctor immediately:
- Lying: Sufferers often hide their problem from loved ones
- “Chasing” losses: This is when a sufferer claims they will quit after the big win
- Borrowing money: Taking from family, friends, coworkers, or even strangers
- Larger bets: This is likened to “upping the dose” like alcoholics or addicts
- Obsessive thoughts: Sufferer cannot stop thinking about gambling
- Inability to stop: Sufferer cannot stop even if they want to
- Need to gamble: Sufferer doesn’t feel right without gambling
- Gambling to forget: The need to be “in the zone” to forget past actions
- Stealing or fraud to gamble: Illegal activity to continue gambling
- Only thing in the world: Sufferers often risk relationships with families, friendships, studies, jobs in order to continue gambling
These same ten traits can be used to identify any of the other compulsive conditions associated with Rexulti. One must simply substitute the word “gamble” with “shop”, “sex” or “eat”.
Rexulti Lawsuit