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[Reversible pathological gambling under treatment with pramipexole]
K Spengos1, E Grips, G Karachalios
1Neurologische Klinik der Universität Athen, Eginition Krankenhaus, Athen, Greece. Spengos@hol.gr
Der Nervenarzt
|July 6, 2006
Summary
Pathological gambling is a rare adverse reaction linked to dopamine agonist drugs used for Parkinson's disease. This gambling behavior in patients is reversible upon discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Dopamine agonists are commonly prescribed for Parkinson's disease.
- Pathological gambling has been anecdotally linked to dopamine agonist therapy.
Observation:
- A female Parkinson's patient developed pathological gambling.
- This behavior emerged after reaching the maximum dose of combined levodopa and pramipexole.
- Gambling ceased entirely after pramipexole withdrawal.
Findings:
- Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, was associated with the patient's pathological gambling.
- The adverse reaction was severe but fully reversible.
Implications:
- Clinicians must monitor Parkinson's patients for gambling issues during dopamine agonist treatment.
- Early recognition and intervention can reverse this serious side effect.
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