A restless leg syndrome drug led me to compulsive gambling
A tenured professor, published novelist, and father of two found his life irrevocably altered by a medication prescribed to treat a condition often dismissed as trivial: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). His experience highlights a critical gap in awareness surrounding the potential, and often unmentioned, side effects of commonly prescribed drugs.
Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome, or Willis-Ekbom disease as it was once proposed to be renamed, is characterized by an overwhelming urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations described as crawling or itching deep within the bones. This can lead to relentless activity throughout the night, disrupting sleep and significantly impacting quality of life. The name itself, according to those who experience the condition, can hinder access to appropriate care and support due to its perceived lack of seriousness.
A Two-Decade Prescription
In 2001, while navigating graduate school and a growing family, the author received a diagnosis of RLS and was prescribed pramipexole, a dopamine agonist also used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The medication initially provided relief, allowing him to sleep and regain a sense of normalcy. He continued taking pramipexole for nearly two decades.
The Hidden Risk of Impulse Control Disorders
Unbeknownst to the author, and not disclosed by his doctors, pramipexole carries a significant risk of triggering impulse control disorders. These can manifest as compulsive gambling, shopping, hypersexuality, or binge eating. His own experience began subtly, with the purchase of lottery scratchers escalating over time to substantial losses at casinos, ultimately leading to financial ruin, suicidal thoughts, and hospitalization.
The author’s younger brother, Jared, also developed a gambling problem after being prescribed the same medication for RLS in 2007, though his impulse control disorder emerged much more rapidly. Researchers Howard Weiss and Gregory Pontone noted that these disorders can develop even at relatively low doses of dopamine agonists.
Dismissed Concerns and a Search for Answers
Initially, the author dismissed the possibility that his gambling was medication-related. When he eventually raised the concern, he was met with disbelief from his doctors, psychiatrist, and even his pharmacist. It wasn’t until he connected with a specialist, Dr. Mark Buchfuhrer, through a Restless Leg Syndrome Foundation support group that he found someone who recognized the connection.
A Path to Recovery and the Aftermath
Dr. Buchfuhrer’s assessment was direct: stopping pramipexole would likely resolve the gambling compulsions. Within a week of discontinuing the medication, the urges disappeared. However, the author was then confronted with the profound grief of re-evaluating his life through the lens of the drug’s influence – his divorce, bankruptcy, career setbacks, and strained relationships with his children.
The author’s experience is not unique. Others have reported devastating financial and personal consequences after developing impulse control disorders linked to dopamine agonists. A woman in an online support group described losing her retirement savings and planning to move to Mexico to cope with the financial fallout.
Legal Limitations and Ongoing Anger
Legal recourse for those harmed by generic versions of these drugs is limited due to a 2011 Supreme Court decision that shields generic manufacturers from liability for side effects mirroring those of brand-name drugs. The author expresses anger at the lack of awareness among his doctors and the dismissive responses he received when he raised concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are impulse control disorders?
Impulse control disorders, include compulsive behaviors like gambling, shopping, hypersexuality, and binge eating, which can be triggered by certain medications like pramipexole.
How quickly can impulse control disorders develop after starting pramipexole?
The onset can vary. While it took years for the author, his brother experienced the impulse control disorder almost immediately after starting the medication.
Is there legal recourse for individuals harmed by these side effects?
Due to a 2011 Supreme Court decision, generic drug manufacturers cannot be held liable for side effects, even if they mirror those of the brand-name drug.
What responsibility do you think pharmaceutical companies and doctors have in fully informing patients about potential side effects of prescribed medications?