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In a recent BBC article (February 21, 2026), Emma explained how Ropinirole ruined her life by inducing risky gambling behaviour.
Ropinirole (commonly known by brand names like Requip) is a dopamine agonist prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
It is known to cause significant behavioural changes, primarily classified as impulse control disorders (ICDs).
These changes are linked to its function as a dopamine agonist, which stimulates dopamine receptors in the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive, risky, or uncharacteristic behaviour – e.g.
- Compulsive Gambling: Uncontrollable urges to gamble, often leading to severe financial, personal, and legal consequences.
- Hypersexuality: Increased, sometimes “deviant” or,, abnormal, and excessive sexual urges or interests, which can be devastating to relationships.
- Compulsive Shopping: Uncontrollable, impulsive spending and shopping behaviors.
- Binge Eating: Compulsive eating habits.
- Other Behaviours: Punding (repetitive, purposeless activities), hoarding, or, in rare cases, violent or criminal behaviour.
- Psychosis/Mood Changes: Hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, extreme confusion, or agitation.
Important Considerations:
- Not Always Recognised: Patients frequently do not recognize these changes as side effects of the medication and may feel too embarrassed to report them.
- Dose-Related: These behaviours are more likely to occur at higher doses or with long-term use.
- Reversible: In most instances, these behavioral changes stop once the medication is reduced or discontinued.
- Sudden Sleep: The medication can also cause sudden, uncontrollable, and dangerous, sleep episodes, including while driving or eating.
- Warning: It is critical not to stop taking this medication suddenly without consulting a doctor, as doing so can cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
If you or a loved one are experiencing these behavioral changes, it is important to contact a healthcare
provider immediately to discuss adjusting the dosage or switching medications
