Prescription Drug Linked to Gambling and Sexual Deviance

There’s some alarming news come out recently about the side effects of certain drugs prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RSL). The class of drugs called dopamine agonists can cause risky sexual behavior and may even lead to gambling addiction.

The story about dopamine agonists used to treat symptoms associated with Parkinson’s and RSL appeared on the BBC last week. It cited a review report of case studies of patients who were prescribed Ropinirole, a dopamine agonist, and experienced damaging side effects, mainly unusually high sexual urges that in some cases resulted in erratic or risky sexual behavior.

One such case cited in the story involved a man on the prescription drug and sexually assaulting a minor. Another case is that of a woman who was partnered but continued to have uncontrollable sexual urges, which ended when she stopped taking it.

In a follow-up story, the BBC featured the case of a British man who was on the prescription drug Ropinirole and developed a gambling addiction. He successfully sued his doctor for not warning him about the drug’s effect of gambling urge.

These reports come as a serious concern for people who have been put on these prescription drugs without a clear and loud warning against such damaging side effects. It is expected that with the story now out about these, more cases of these effects may surface. It is advisable to read all side effects and risks associated with any drugs and medical treatments in order to make informed decisions. Asking your doctor questions about the safety and possible adverse effects of drugs is always the best approach to personal health.

• dopamine agonists
• gambling addiction
• prescription
• Prescription Drug
• sexual deviance