A 66-year-old British man developed a compulsive gambling and shopping addiction after being prescribed medication for restless leg syndrome, leading to a £70,000 ($88,000) settlement, his legal team announced.
Philip Stevens, from Hampshire, was prescribed Ropinirole, a dopamine agonist, in 2017 but was not warned about the potential side effect of impulse control disorders.
While Stevens had previously enjoyed betting on horse races responsibly, the medication caused his gambling to escalate uncontrollably. He began placing bets on his smartphone at all hours, including waking up during the night to gamble. Additionally, he developed a compulsive shopping habit, purchasing large amounts of clothing and fishing gear.
“Over the four years that Philip took Ropinirole, he spent thousands of pounds on online gambling websites,” said a spokesperson for Leigh Day solicitors. “His gambling became compulsive, and he was betting on anything he could and stopped caring about winning altogether.”
After consulting a neurologist, Stevens discontinued the medication, which halted his compulsive behaviors. However, due to inadequate guidance on tapering off the drug, he suffered severe withdrawal symptoms, including paranoia. During this time, he became convinced his children were not biologically his and requested they undergo DNA testing.
Angharad Vaughan, Stevens’ lawyer, expressed hope that this case would prompt better practices in informing patients about medication side effects. “Important lessons will be learned to ensure that, in future, patients receive all the information they need about the potential side effects of such drugs,” she said.
The settlement, agreed upon without the prescribing doctor admitting liability, underscores the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with medications like Ropinirole, according to Leigh Day’s spokesperson.