Gambling on Requip? You Just Might Be…

Washington, DCThe drug Requip, used to treat Parkinson's and Restless Leg Syndrome, is only now getting the media attention it deserves after many patients have fallen into a tailspin of reckless behavior, including compulsive gambling.

However, the suspicion with regard to compulsive behavior and dopamine agonists goes back to 2003, when a trio of doctors published a paper in the Journal 'Neurology' entitled 'Pathological gambling associated with dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson's Disease' (PD).

That study found extreme cases of compulsive gambling in nine of 1,884 patients using pramipexole (8 or 1.5%)) and pergolide (1 or 0.3%). Both results were well above the overall incidence rate of all PD patients of 0.05%. Both drugs that showed an increased risk were dopamine agonists.

Two years later, in the summer of 2005 a landmark study published by the renowned Mayo Clinic found that 11 Parkinson's patients who were taking with pramipexole or pergolide between 2002 and 2004 developed a gambling habit. After the study appeared in 'Archives of Neurology,' 14 additional Mayo Clinic patients were diagnosed with the problem.

Thus, this is not a new problem—and should be of no surprise given the media attention that a multi-million dollar lawsuit generated after a retired pathologist realized the foundation for his bizarre behavior. It also thrust Requip into the media spotlight.

Requip (pergolide) is one of the drugs put under the microscope in the Mayo Clinic study, and is one of two drugs that appeared to push Dr. Max Wells over the edge.

According to the lawsuit, Dr. Wells—who had retired from practicing pathology after a long and distinguished career—had been prescribed pramipexole, known as Mirapex, to combat his Parkinson's disease. However, he was noticing that an occasional, and well-controlled taste for recreational gambling was becoming more serious, and Wells told his doctor that he suspected his medication.

In response, his doctor switched him to Requip, and increased the dose.

The switch to Requip triggered even stronger compulsive gambling. The retired pathologist incurred massive losses running into the millions, and was soon $1.2 million in debt. When he finally went back to his doctor and the Requip was stopped, so too did the compulsive gambling.

Dr. Wells, in his lawsuit, blamed both the casinos for allowing him to continue gambling even though, it is alleged they knew he was on medication—and the manufacturers of the two drugs he was taking. Requip is made by GlaxoSmithKline.

The losses incurred by Dr. Wells, including $7 million by late 2005 and a further $7 million just a few short months later—represent amounts of money most everyday people could never fathom having, let alone losing.

Still, the behavior changes suffered by some patients of dopamine agonists such as Requip can be just as dramatic. That's because Parkinson's disease causes sufferers to gradually lose dopamine, therefore developing an aversion to the kind of behaviors, which often result from excessive dopamine levels. Thus when a dopamine agonist such as Requip is introduced, the results can be quite dramatic.

Compulsive behaviors can vary. A person who never bought lottery tickets in the past, suddenly starts buying them. For others, who prior to taking Requip would never be caught dead in a casino, suddenly exhibit a pathological compulsion to return again and again, sometimes with catastrophic financial results.

What's even more tragic is that often a spouse is often not aware of such behavior until it's too late. In Dr. Wells' case, his wife was alleged to have not realized her husband's new-found gambling compulsion until he admitted to losing $14 million, and incurring new debt of over a million dollars.

To some on a tight budget, and especially in these tight times, even a $1000 loss could push many families right over the edge, and into the abyss of financial insolvency.

If you suffer from Parkinson's or Restless Leg Syndrome and have been prescribed Requip, make note of your behavior and involve a spouse as well. Some patients have been known to become prone to various compulsive disorders such as aggressive sexual impulses, overeating, medication abuse, and pathological gambling.

You should have been made aware of these potential side effects. Nonetheless, if you or your family has been harmed, financially or otherwise, from compulsive behavior that can be attributed to a Requip regimen, you would be well advised to consult a Requip attorney to discuss your options.