Hundreds of people are reporting that their gambling, shopping, and even sex addictions are actually side effects of the medication they’re taking for movement disorders. This isn’t just a handful of cases; over 250 individuals have reached out about these issues. The United Kingdom government called the findings “hugely concerning,” and the MPs’ Health Select Committee has asked the UK drug regulator to review current warnings.
Emma is one such patient who said the medication ‘ruined her life.’ She suddenly developed a spending and gambling problem and couldn’t understand it. That is, until her husband stumbled across a report linking her medication, Ropinirole, to such behaviors. Emma is especially frustrated that her doctor never made the connection despite being told of the medicine and the addiction. Per the BBC, she lost at least £30,000 until a medication switch changed things.
