Parkinson's Drugs Trigger Compulsive Behavior

Patients report sudden onset of addictions
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
Parkinson's Drugs Trigger Compulsive Behavior
Neurologists have discovered that 13% of Parkinson's patients taking a class of drugs that provide dopamine to the brain have experienced at least one of four serious behavioral addictions.   (Index Stock)

Drugs for Parkinson's disease can be enormously beneficial, relieving patients' tremors and rigid muscles. But some patients are now complaining of an unusual side effect—extreme compulsive behavior. One woman began taking Mirapex to combat symptoms and suddenly found herself with a $200-a-day scratch-off lottery ticket habit, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Neurologists have discovered that 13% of Parkinson's patients taking a class of drugs that provide dopamine to the brain have experienced at least one of four serious behavioral addictions including sexual activity, gambling, and shopping. "I was manic to the point where there was another person inside of me," said one sufferer. (More Parkinson's disease stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X