Such is the case with drugs that treat symptoms of Parkinson's. The adverse reactions can be devastating.
A recent story about a Parkinson's sufferer in the UK is easily translatable to the American market given that ropinirole, the non-ergoline dopamine agonist is sold as Requip in the US. A class-action lawsuit is currently being explored in the UK, targeting the makers of ropinirole and other dopamine agonists.
It's all because of what happened to people like Kathy.
It's not her real name, but her story is compelling. The soft-spoken mother of two from Manchester was afflicted by Parkinson's at 44 and was put on ropinirole and other drugs to manage her symptoms.
She was soon launched into a world of bizarre behavior that was completely foreign to her.
Gambling was one. Kathy found herself playing the lottery constantly. She also discovered on-line poker. Despite not knowing how to play the game she dove in, racking up bills exceeding US $300 each night.
There was also a powerful urge to shop. Kathy found herself rising in the middle of the night, driving to 24-hour superstores to buy things she had no use for.
Drugs Drove Her to Sex
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Kathy began cruising the Internet for fetish wear and began meeting strangers at motels for sex. She and her husband slept in separate beds, so her behaviour was shielded from her mate.
They are no longer together.
A 2006 paper, published in the journal Neurology by Valerie Voon of the National Institute of Health in Maryland described side effects of dopamine agonists that included increased libido, compulsive gambling, shopping and eating. In many cases, patients have spent their entire life savings, businesses have gone bankrupt and marriages have broken down.
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