This is my first time posting and I'm curious to find out how many people have been effected by gambling problems associated with Ropinirole ( and other dopamine agonists ).
My story: I've been on Ropinirole for approximately 18 years. Started on a low dose but eventually ended up on 12 mg extended release with 2mg of regular tablet as needed. ( I've read quite a few posts on this website and I haven't seen anyone taking close to this dosage ) Five years ago I started having strong urges to play scratch tickets. Scratch tickets lead to keno, keno lead to casino slot machines. I've lost hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'm currently broke.
When my gambling started I could not understand why I was doing what I was doing because, prior to this point in my life, I had no desire to participate in any kind of gambling. I simply could not control my actions even though I knew what I was doing was wrong. It wasn't until an internet search two years ago that I found out Ropinirole was causing my gambling addiction. I contacted my doctor immediately and he confirmed what I found on the internet. My immediate reaction was, " why wasn't I warned of this side effect ?".
I'm sharing my story for a couple of reasons. First, if you are taking any dopamine agonist, seek help immediately if you get any strange urges to gamble, shop excessively, or develop weird sexual desires. ( or any other compulsive behavior ) I've experienced the gambling problem and I don't want anyone else to go through what I've gone through.
Second, I'm curious how many people have developed a gambling addiction brought on by Ropinirole.
Third, has anyone had success in finding an attorney to bring a lawsuit against a doctor prescribing a dopamine agonist without warning of potential compulsive behaviors? Or has anyone considered a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Ropinirole?
I have a new PCP and I've seen two neurologists but nothing they've prescribed over the last two years has worked to relieve my RLS, including Methadone. I'm currently on 4 mg of Ropinirole and I'm willing to try anything to get off the stuff.
I welcome your comments.
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rlsgambler
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I doubt if you could sue your doctor for not warning of the side effect of compulsive gambling as 1) It is in the drug leaflet you receive with your medicine and you have an obligation to read it, and 2) It is not a common side effect. However your doctor was at fault in raising your dose to 12 mg as 4 mg is the maximum dose for RLS and that may be grounds for a law suit. At the least the doctor should be reported to the General Medical Council.
Have you tried other opioids - tramadol works for many. Or Kratom? Have you had your ferritin checked? If so what was it? If you tried gabapentin or pregabalin and they didn't work, it is because they won't really work until you are off ropinirole for several weeks. But you first need to find an opioid that works because getting off ropinirole by reducing by .25 mg every few weeks because that will increase your suffering.
Impulse Control Disorder is a known side effect. Studies say 17% will develop it but as most people on Ropinirole don't report gambling, shopping, overeating etc, it's probably MUCH higher.Lots of class actions in the USA and a few cases in the UK as well. They were successful in the USA and in the UK, 2 neurologists had to pay compensation for negligence.
Let me know where you are and I'll send appropriate links so you can consult a lawyer.
You could also sue for over prescription as 4mg is the max dose for RLS in the med leaflets. BUT it's way too high.
In the US, rls.org and top experts warn thst the higher doses are no longer recommended. These drugs are no longer first line Treatment because of ICD and Augmentation .
No drugs will help until you're off Ropinirole.
Reduce by 0.25mg every 2 to 3 weeks with the help of cannabis, tramadol or Oxycontin.
Once off Ropinirole, methadone would be very effective.
Sorry just seen this. I didn't mean recommendations for lawyers, just the links to the successful class actions. In the USA there have been several but here in the UK, only one or two individual actions.fiercepharma.com/regulatory...
I too feel meds have caused my gambling issues. I hadn't been on both ropinerole and pramiprexole over the last 18 years. I would appreciate some attorney leads on our near Canton, Ohio. Thx
I meant I'd share links to the class actions. I'm in the UK. Just see a local class action attorney but you will need to prove you were on requip or Pramipexole and collate all the evidence of your gambling spending.Good luck.
You could show this to any reputable Medical Malpractice attorney and see what they say. From Wikipedia...
"Lawsuits - In November 2012, GlaxoSmithKline was ordered by a Rennes appeals court to pay Frenchman Didier Jambart 197,000 euros ($255,824); Jambart had taken ropinirole from 2003 to 2010 and exhibited risky hypersexual behavior and gambled excessively until stopping the medication."
Oh my goodness, so sorry to hear about your problem. I have been on ropinerole for years I never had that problem. I am now on pramipexole because suppliers ran out. I think they are the only 2 tablets on the market for RLS. If I am experiencing a really bad episode I will also take co. Codamol a pain killer.
Mabe not recommended, but when you have walked the floor from 6pm one evening until 6am the following morning no sitting down, no lying down no stopping. I would take anything . You need to discuss this with your Doctor and and have some counselling .
Ropinirole and pramipexole are not the only 2 tablets on the market for RLS. They used to be the first-line treatment for RLS but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead gabapentin and pregabalin are. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know about it including the latest treatment at
Mirapex which is similar to Ropinirole caused my mom to gamble away over a $100,000. I helped her get involved in a class action lawsuit where she recieved a settlement for $60,000. She then proceeded to gamble that away while on Ropinirole. So be careful. My doctor wont let me touch these meds being that I'm so genetically similar to my mother.
Thanks for your reply. How did you go about a class action lawsuit? Did you initiate it or join one already established? I don't know where to go to see if there is one ongoing.
I was on pramipexole for over 15 years. Highest prescribed dose was 3mg. I just took my last dose last week so dealing with withdrawals now. I had compulsive sexual behaviors. Nearly cost me my marriage twice. It wasn't til I did my own research and found out how DA's really affect you. It took me almost 9 month to get off of them.
I was on DA drugs for about a year. Those drugs certainly had an affect on my libido. Turned me into a narcissist. Destroyed my happy family life and business. I then decided to stop cold turkey (Because NOBODY warned me or told me not to). I withdrew from the world, business and my life. I had serious thoughts of ending it all. It has taken years to recover and I am still dealing with the issues.
I knew I wasn't thinking right and I couldn't control myself. I would love to sue the neurologist at OHSU that told me Ropinerole was my only hope and quadrupled my dosage.
If you want to form a class action lawsuit. Count me in!
I just read your post about gambling problems that may be related to ropinirole, and it really struck a chord with me. This is a very important topic for open discussion. Personally, I have not encountered this, but I can imagine how difficult it is. The side effects of medications can sometimes surprise us in a way we've never before
At one time, I was an active player on the site pafisamarinda.org . Now I realized that this is just a hobby, not a way to earn money. So it became easier to live.
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An interesting development from the BBC.
Sifrol (Pramipexole) and Gambling addiction
How to wean off of ropinirole and find a good doctor. 
Ropinirole withdrawal
