A British man developed compulsive gambling and shopping habits after being prescribed medication for restless leg syndrome and has now received a £70,000 settlement from his doctor, his lawyers revealed on Friday.
Philip Stevens, 66, from Hampshire, was prescribed Ropinirole — a dopamine agonist medication — in 2017. However, he was not informed about potential side effects, including impulse control disorders.
Previously a cautious bettor who occasionally attended horse races, Stevens found his gambling spiralling out of control after starting the medication. He began placing bets on his smartphone at all hours, including waking up in the middle of the night to gamble. Additionally, he developed a compulsion for shopping, buying excessive amounts of clothes and fishing gear.
“Over the four years that Philip took Ropinirole, he spent thousands of pounds on online gambling websites,” a spokeswoman for Leigh Day solicitors said. “His gambling became compulsive, betting on anything and everything without caring about winning.”
Stevens eventually stopped taking Ropinirole on the advice of a neurologist. While his compulsive behaviours ceased, abruptly discontinuing the medication led to severe withdrawal symptoms, including paranoia. He became so distrustful that he even asked his children to undergo DNA tests, convinced they were not his.
Lawyer Angharad Vaughan expressed hope that the case would lead to better patient care: “We hope important lessons will be learned to ensure that patients are properly informed about the potential side effects of such drugs.”
The financial settlement was reached without the doctor admitting liability, according to Leigh Day solicitors.
