Home / Health / Drug's Dark Side: Family's 20-Year Nightmare
Drug's Dark Side: Family's 20-Year Nightmare
10 Jun
Summary
- Medication for RLS caused extreme behavioural changes.
- Lost £350,000 in life savings due to gambling.
- Family campaigns for public inquiry into drug risks.
A retired police sergeant's life dramatically changed after being prescribed medication for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in 2005. Initially a "normal guy," his family reported he developed severe behavioural issues including hyper-sexuality and a gambling addiction, leading to a loss of approximately £350,000 over five years.
His son described the period as agonizing, with his father becoming consumed by compulsions, including a severe sugar addiction that caused dental loss. The family felt his personality was completely altered, experiencing embarrassment and difficulty in interactions. This continued until his death in 2023 at age 77.
Recent reports highlight that one in six Parkinson's patients taking dopamine agonists experience impulse control disorders. The UK's MHRA is reviewing warnings for these drugs, acknowledging impulse control disorders as a known risk and emphasizing the importance of patient consultation regarding side effects.
Advocacy groups suggest dopamine agonists should be a last resort, with thorough patient and family consultations about potential risks. A petition is circulating, calling for a public inquiry into the use of these medications, with proponents arguing that current warnings are insufficient and tens of thousands may be affected.
