Restless Leg Syndrome Drug Side Effects Gambling
Yes, gambling may be side effect of restless leg syndrome drug Originally published October 26, 2014 at 6:12 am Updated October 26, 2014 at 8:16 am Share story.
- The lawyers / attorneys at our firm are investigating potential lawsuits on behalf of victims of Requip side effects. Requip is a popular medication used to control tremors associated with Parkinson’s Disease and Restless Leg Syndrome. Unfortunately, drugs like Requip have been associated with gambling addictions and other compulsive behaviors.
- It is unlikely that target events such as pathological gambling or hypersexuality were mistaken for a symptom of the underlying diseases such as restless leg syndrome.” The six drugs they were referring to include pramipexole, ropinirole, cabergoline, bromocriptine, rotigotine and apomorphine. The investigators also noted that.
Mild restless legs syndrome that isn't linked to an underlying health condition can be managed with just a few lifestyle changes.
If symptoms are more severe, medication may be needed.
Restless legs syndrome caused by an underlying health condition can often be cured by treating that condition.
For example, iron deficiency anaemia can be treated by taking iron supplements.
If it's associated with pregnancy, it usually disappears on its own within 4 weeks of the birth.
Lifestyle changes
A number of lifestyle changes may be enough to ease the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
These include:
- avoiding stimulants in the evening (such as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol)
- not smoking (read more about quitting smoking)
- regular daily exercise (but avoid exercising close to bedtime)
- good sleep habits (for example, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, not napping during the day, taking time to relax before going to bed, and avoiding caffeine close to bedtime)
- avoiding medicines that trigger the symptoms or make them worse (if you think medication is causing your symptoms, continue to take it and make an appointment to see your GP)
During an episode of restless legs syndrome, the following measures may help relieve your symptoms:
- massaging your legs
- taking a hot bath in the evening
- applying a hot or cold compress to your leg muscles
- doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television
- relaxation exercises, such as yoga or tai chi
- walking and stretching
Medication
Dopamine agonists
Dopamine agonists may be recommended if you're experiencing frequent symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
They work by increasing dopamine levels, which are often low.
Dopamine agonists that may be recommended include:
- ropinirole
- pramipexole
- rotigotine skin patch
These medications can occasionally make you feel sleepy, so you should be cautious when driving or using tools or machinery after taking them.
Other possible side effects can include nausea, dizziness and headaches.
If you experience nausea while taking a dopamine agonist, you may be given medication to help with this (antiemitic medication).
Impulse control disorder (ICD) is a less common side effect sometimes associated with dopamine agonists.
People with ICD are unable to resist the urge to do something harmful to themselves or others.
For example, this could be an addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping or sex (hypersexuality).
But the urges associated with ICD will subside once treatment with the dopamine agonist is stopped.
Painkillers
A mild opiate-based painkiller, such as codeine, may be prescribed to relieve pain associated with restless legs syndrome.
Gabapentin and pregabalin are also sometimes prescribed to help relieve painful symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Side effects of these medications include dizziness, tiredness and headaches.
Aiding sleep
If restless legs syndrome is disrupting your sleep, a short-term course of medication may be recommended to help you sleep.
These types of medication are known as hypnotics, and include temazepam and loprazolam.
Hypnotics are usually only recommended for short-term use (typically no longer than a week).
You may find you still feel sleepy or 'hungover' the morning after taking your medication.
Cardiovascular diseases
Recent research found people with restless legs syndrome may be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease or stroke, compared with people who don't have the syndrome.
This risk is thought to be greatest in people with frequent or severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
The exact reason for the increased risk is unclear, but it may be that the rapid leg movements are associated with an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Sleep problems have also been linked to cardiovascular disease.
How To Treat Restless Leg Syndrome
To reduce this risk, you should exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, give up smoking if you smoke, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Read more about preventing cardiovascular disease.
Page last reviewed: 6 August 2018
Next review due: 6 August 2021
Side effects are a necessary evil when it comes to medication. Virtually any active medicine will have additional physical effects alongside the intended action of the substance, and these are usually relatively minor.
Physical side effects are usually tolerable, or may be managed using over-the-counter medicines or changes in lifestyle.
However, sometimes the side effects of a drug can be damaging in a non-physical sense. In fact, pramipexole—a drug used for restless leg syndrome and Parkinson’s disease—may actually lead to hypersexuality or even compulsive gambling. The link has been previously documented, but the information hasn’t been disseminated widely enough to protect patients from the unintended effects.
How Pramipexole Ruined A Patient’s Life
Tuscaloosa News’ People’s Pharmacy segment gives citizens a chance to share their experience with medicines and have their problems addressed by an expert. Last month, the section received a question from a patient suffering from restless leg syndrome who also found him or herself compulsively shopping and gambling. The individual commented “This medication has ruined my life. I discovered only recently that the compulsive behaviors are drug side effects,” and drew attention to the fact that the symptoms of the original condition were getting worse, if anything.
What Causes Rls Restless Leg Syndrome
In response, the expert shared additional stories from other patients with the same problem. Although pramipexole (brand name Mirapex) is the most well-known cause, other similar drugs such as ropinirole (Requip) can also lead to impulsive behavior.
How Pramipexole Leads to Compulsive Behaviors
Restless Leg Syndrome Drugs List
Pramipexole is a dopamine-agonist drug, and many people will know that dopamine is the neurotransmitter implicated in most cases of addiction. It’s the brain’s “reward” chemical, but people suffering from Parkinson’s disease are deficient in it. A dopamine agonist basically tops up the body’s dopamine supply (albeit in a synthetic form), so for that reason alone there is reason to be concerned about its potential relationship with addictive behavior. The dosage for restless leg syndrome is much lower than that for Parkinson’s, so it’s expected that those taking the drug for Parkinson’s are at greater risk of compulsive behaviors.
Because of the link between pramipexole and the body’s dopamine system, the drug appears to have an impact on behavior. Patients who take the drug often report compulsive shopping, gambling, eating and sexual activity, which can understandably create many problems for the individual.
A Known Connection
What Is Good For Restless Leg Syndrome
Many studies have been conducted on the link between compulsive behavior and dopamine agonists, with the results showing that “impulse control disorders” are more common in both patients with Parkinson’s and restless leg syndrome who are receiving the drugs. A particularly large piece of research concluded that patients taking dopamine agonists are between two and three and a half times more likely to develop an impulse control disorder than those not taking them. The link isn’t fully understood, but it appears that the lower doses used in restless leg syndrome don’t remove the risk of developing compulsive behavior.
The role of the pharmaceutical companies has been questioned, with many high-profile lawsuits being filed related to the damaging side effects. According to some of these reports, the pharmaceutical companies were aware of the links between the drug and the conditions since the 1990s (when the link was revealed by a clinical trial), but they failed to take action to investigate the possibility further.
Additionally, the companies engaged in a marketing campaign targeted at physicians, which misrepresented the potential risks of the drugs. None of this type of behavior is particularly out of character for pharmaceutical companies—who are primarily concerned with selling pills, with serious side effects merely serving as a barrier to that goal—and the fact that the warning labels weren’t updated until 2005 shows the consequences this can have. The companies are now being ordered to make large payouts to account for the damages the drugs have caused.
What Should Patients Do?
If you’re a patient taking a dopamine agonist like pramipexole, the options are unfortunately limited. It’s worth noting that the incidence of these side effects is quite low, but there is still a chance you’ll develop them. If you’re experiencing symptoms of compulsive behavior after starting on a dopamine agonist, the best thing to do is to contact your doctor about it as soon as possible. Compulsive gambling, sex and shopping all have the potential to financially ruin patients or obliterate romantic relationships, so the importance of reducing their impact can’t be overstated. In the event of negative consequences, your physician may be able to suggest an alternative treatment. Do what you can to better your health!
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What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome
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