FDA Warns Antipsychotic Drug Can Cause Compulsive Sex and Gambling

The FDA warned Tuesday that the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole, which is found in medications like Abilify and Aristada, has been linked to uncontrollable urges to eat, gamble, shop and have sex.

The FDA said that the compulsive behaviors stopped when users went off the medications, which suggests a close correlation. While these drugs already warn that gambling may be a side effect, the agency announced it had just become aware that compulsive sex, binge eating and shopping might also be associated with the drug.

Aripiprazole, which decreases hallucinations and stabilizes mood, is used to treat psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, as well as Tourrette’s syndrome and some symptoms of autism.