Restless Leg Syndrome Medication Side Effects Gambling

Medications That Cause Restless Legs
Restless Leg Syndrome Medication Side Effects Gambling Symptoms

Mild restless legs syndrome that isn't linked to an underlying health condition can be managed with just a few lifestyle changes.

If symptoms are more severe, medication may be needed.

Restless legs syndrome caused by an underlying health condition can often be cured by treating that condition.

For example, iron deficiency anaemia can be treated by taking iron supplements.

If it's associated with pregnancy, it usually disappears on its own within 4 weeks of the birth.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common cause for painful legs that typically eases with motion, and becomes worse and more noticeable at rest. This characteristic nighttime worsening can frequently lead to insomnia. Treatment of the symptoms of restless leg syndrome is generally with medication as well as treating any underlying condition. It did wonders for my restless legs syndrome and I could finally sleep. It had no side effects (at least that I was aware of at the time) Now, two years later I've filled for bankruptcy after gambling away all of my savings and assets. Before taking this medication, I had never had a problem with gambling. BEWARE OF THIS MEDICATION.

Lifestyle changes

A number of lifestyle changes may be enough to ease the symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

These include:

avoiding stimulants in the evening (such as caffeine, tobacco and alcohol)
not smoking (read more about quitting smoking)
regular daily exercise (but avoid exercising close to bedtime)
good sleep habits (for example, going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, not napping during the day, taking time to relax before going to bed, and avoiding caffeine close to bedtime)
avoiding medicines that trigger the symptoms or make them worse (if you think medication is causing your symptoms, continue to take it and make an appointment to see your GP)

During an episode of restless legs syndrome, the following measures may help relieve your symptoms:

massaging your legs
taking a hot bath in the evening
applying a hot or cold compress to your leg muscles
doing activities that distract your mind, such as reading or watching television
relaxation exercises, such as yoga or tai chi
walking and stretching

Medication

Dopamine agonists

Dopamine agonists may be recommended if you're experiencing frequent symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

They work by increasing dopamine levels, which are often low.

Dopamine agonists that may be recommended include:

ropinirole
pramipexole
rotigotine skin patch

These medications can occasionally make you feel sleepy, so you should be cautious when driving or using tools or machinery after taking them.

Other possible side effects can include nausea, dizziness and headaches.

If you experience nausea while taking a dopamine agonist, you may be given medication to help with this (antiemitic medication).

Impulse control disorder (ICD) is a less common side effect sometimes associated with dopamine agonists.

People with ICD are unable to resist the urge to do something harmful to themselves or others.

For example, this could be an addiction to alcohol, drugs, gambling, shopping or sex (hypersexuality).

But the urges associated with ICD will subside once treatment with the dopamine agonist is stopped.

Painkillers

A mild opiate-based painkiller, such as codeine, may be prescribed to relieve pain associated with restless legs syndrome.

Gabapentin and pregabalin are also sometimes prescribed to help relieve painful symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

Side effects of these medications include dizziness, tiredness and headaches.

Aiding sleep

If restless legs syndrome is disrupting your sleep, a short-term course of medication may be recommended to help you sleep.

These types of medication are known as hypnotics, and include temazepam and loprazolam.

Hypnotics are usually only recommended for short-term use (typically no longer than a week).

You may find you still feel sleepy or 'hungover' the morning after taking your medication.

Cardiovascular diseases

Recent research found people with restless legs syndrome may be more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease or stroke, compared with people who don't have the syndrome.

This risk is thought to be greatest in people with frequent or severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

The exact reason for the increased risk is unclear, but it may be that the rapid leg movements are associated with an increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Sleep problems have also been linked to cardiovascular disease.

To reduce this risk, you should exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, give up smoking if you smoke, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Read more about preventing cardiovascular disease.

Page last reviewed: 6 August 2018
Next review due: 6 August 2021

Washington, DCThe drug Requip, used to treat Parkinson's and Restless Leg Syndrome, is only now getting the media attention it deserves after many patients have fallen into a tailspin of reckless behavior, including compulsive gambling.
However, the suspicion with regard to compulsive behavior and dopamine agonists goes back to 2003, when a trio of doctors published a paper in the Journal 'Neurology' entitled 'Pathological gambling associated with dopamine agonist therapy in Parkinson's Disease' (PD).
That study found extreme cases of compulsive gambling in nine of 1,884 patients using pramipexole (8 or 1.5%)) and pergolide (1 or 0.3%). Both results were well above the overall incidence rate of all PD patients of 0.05%. Both drugs that showed an increased risk were dopamine agonists.
Two years later, in the summer of 2005 a landmark study published by the renowned Mayo Clinic found that 11 Parkinson's patients who were taking with pramipexole or pergolide between 2002 and 2004 developed a gambling habit. After the study appeared in 'Archives of Neurology,' 14 additional Mayo Clinic patients were diagnosed with the problem.
Thus, this is not a new problem—and should be of no surprise given the media attention that a multi-million dollar lawsuit generated after a retired pathologist realized the foundation for his bizarre behavior. It also thrust Requip into the media spotlight.
Requip (pergolide) is one of the drugs put under the microscope in the Mayo Clinic study, and is one of two drugs that appeared to push Dr. Max Wells over the edge.
According to the lawsuit, Dr. Wells—who had retired from practicing pathology after a long and distinguished career—had been prescribed pramipexole, known as Mirapex, to combat his Parkinson's disease. However, he was noticing that an occasional, and well-controlled taste for recreational gambling was becoming more serious, and Wells told his doctor that he suspected his medication.
In response, his doctor switched him to Requip, and increased the dose.
The switch to Requip triggered even stronger compulsive gambling. The retired pathologist incurred massive losses running into the millions, and was soon $1.2 million in debt. When he finally went back to his doctor and the Requip was stopped, so too did the compulsive gambling.

Medications That Cause Restless Legs

Dr. Wells, in his lawsuit, blamed both the casinos for allowing him to continue gambling even though, it is alleged they knew he was on medication—and the manufacturers of the two drugs he was taking. Requip is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
The losses incurred by Dr. Wells, including $7 million by late 2005 and a further $7 million just a few short months later—represent amounts of money most everyday people could never fathom having, let alone losing.
Still, the behavior changes suffered by some patients of dopamine agonists such as Requip can be just as dramatic. That's because Parkinson's disease causes sufferers to gradually lose dopamine, therefore developing an aversion to the kind of behaviors, which often result from excessive dopamine levels. Thus when a dopamine agonist such as Requip is introduced, the results can be quite dramatic.
Compulsive behaviors can vary. A person who never bought lottery tickets in the past, suddenly starts buying them. For others, who prior to taking Requip would never be caught dead in a casino, suddenly exhibit a pathological compulsion to return again and again, sometimes with catastrophic financial results.
What's even more tragic is that often a spouse is often not aware of such behavior until it's too late. In Dr. Wells' case, his wife was alleged to have not realized her husband's new-found gambling compulsion until he admitted to losing $14 million, and incurring new debt of over a million dollars.