Drug caused reckless sexual activity and gambling urges

Patients who were prescribed a drug for restless legs syndrome (RLS) have said doctors did not warn them about significant side effects of the medication – including risky sexual behaviours and compulsive gambling.

- REBECCA WHITTAKER

One woman recalled leaving her house in the early hours of the morning in search of sex, while another said she racked up debts of £80,000 after developing a gambling addiction.

The drug Ropinirole, described as a “dopamine agonist” and used for conditions that affect how we move, is offered on the NHS, but health guidance body Nice warns the medication has been linked to pathological gambling, binge eating, compulsive shopping and hyper-sexuality.

RLS causes a “crawling or creeping” sensation in the feet, calves and thighs, as well as an overwhelming urge to move them, according to the NHS. The drugs are designed to work on a part of the brain that controls movement, but the same part of the brain also regulates pleasure and reward. That means people can get more pleasure than usual from stimulating activities.

However, 20 women have told the BBC that doctors did not warn them of this side effect, which many say ruined their lives. An internal report by drugs firm GSK, which makes the medication, reveals the manufacturer was aware of the link with impulsive behaviours in 2003. This information was shared with drug regulators, according to GSK. GSK says leaflets contained within the medicine’s packaging have mentioned a risk of “altered” sexual interest since 2007.