Patients Report Developing Gambling Addictions After Taking RLS Medication

Hundreds of people in the UK have reported they have developed gambling addiction, and addictions of other kinds, after taking Ropinirole, a prescribed medication to treat Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Parkinsons’ Disease.

Patients Link Gambling Disorders to Ropinirole

According to the BBC, over 250 people, including police officers, nurses, doctors, and even a director of risk for a bank, have reported they had developed various addictions, including one to gambling, after taking the drug for. One of these people is Emma, who, like many other women, developed RLS while she was pregnant, a condition believed to be associated with iron levels in the body. As her symptoms became more severe in the years that followed, she was prescribed Ropinirole, which is produced by the British pharmaceutical company GSK.

Emma says that after starting the drug, she developed compulsive behaviors, including excessive gambling and spending on unnecessary items, leaving her feeling as though something was “controlling” her. When arranging an appointment at her local GP practice, Emma says she has to complete an online form detailing any medications she is currently taking. Although she disclosed that she had developed a gambling addiction and was using Ropinirole, Emma says her doctor did not link her behavior to the drug’s recognized side effects.

However, Emma continued gambling and, after later reading the reports, asked for her medication to be changed. She says she has lost at least GBP 30,000 (approximately $38,000). She says the experience has “ruined” her life and fears she and her family will be in debt for years while repaying the money.

Why Does the Drug Do This?

Ropinirole is a drug prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and RLS. Common side effects include drowsiness, nausea, and dizziness. More serious adverse effects can include compulsive gambling, hypersexuality, a drop in blood pressure when standing, and hallucinations.

The medication, Ropinirole, works by increasing dopamine activity in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control movement and is also central to the brain’s motivation and reward systems, which can become overstimulated by the use of this drug.

People from across the UK have described how impulse-control side effects have resulted in substantial debts, relationship breakdowns, criminal behavior, and, in some cases, suicide. Some patients have reported binge eating, cross-dressing, and making high-risk financial investments, while others said they pursued same-sex relationships for the first time.

This isn’t the first time we reported on Ropinirole allegedly leading people to develop a gambling addiction. Last year, we told the story of Phil Stevens, also from the UK< who explained how the drug he was taking for his RLS caused him to develop an unstoppable urge to gamble, which led to huge financial issues.

Charities such as Parkinson’s UK and RLS-UK provide support to those affected. Guidance from the UK’s National Health Service is also clear: anyone taking these medications who has concerns should consult their doctor.