United News of Bangladesh

Hundreds of patients have reported that certain medications for movement disorders, including GSK’s Ropinirole, triggered compulsive behaviours such as gambling, overspending, and hypersexuality, according to a BBC investigation. Emma, a patient who developed Restless Legs Syndrome during pregnancy, lost tens of thousands of pounds to gambling after taking Ropinirole. She only discovered the link between her medication and compulsive behaviour after reading media reports. Many others contacted the BBC, including healthcare professionals and banking executives, describing similar experiences. The drugs, part of a family of dopamine agonists, boost dopamine levels in the brain, which regulates movement, motivation, and reward. Experts warn that overstimulation can lead to harmful behaviours, including sex addiction, binge shopping, and criminal acts. Despite these risks, doctors in the UK are reportedly still not fully warning patients about potential side effects. Past incidents show the severity of the issue. In 2000, GSK identified a case of paedophilia linked to Ropinirole, but warnings on sexual urges only appeared years later. Legal cases are emerging internationally, including in Belgium and France, where patients claim these medications have caused financial and personal devastation. Health authorities and charities advise patients to discuss any concerns with their doctors. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that warnings took time to issue because all evidence must be reviewed, and leaflets cannot list every possible individual reaction.   With inputs from BBC