A medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome (RLS), ropinirole (brand name Requip), has been linked to severe side effects, including compulsive sexual behaviors and gambling addiction. Patients reported these issues without prior warnings from doctors.
A 2003 internal review by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) acknowledged the drug’s connection to “deviant behavior,” citing cases of men with Parkinson’s charged with sexual offenses after taking ropinirole. Meanwhile, over 20 women prescribed the drug for RLS shared experiences of risky sexual urges and gambling addictions, some amassing debts exceeding £150,000.
Ropinirole is a dopamine agonist, mimicking brain chemicals that regulate movement and mood. Experts suggest it may overstimulate pleasure responses while dulling awareness of consequences, leading to impulsive actions. One patient, “Claire,” described escalating sexual urges after starting the drug during pregnancy, which vanished once she stopped treatment.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency confirms impulse control disorders—such as increased libido—are listed in warnings but admits not all patients experience these side effects. GSK maintains Requip is safe when used under medical guidance, though a 2011 class-action lawsuit by Parkinson’s patients was settled without admission of liability.
Healthcare professionals urge clearer patient education on these risks to prevent devastating consequences.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/11/parkinsons-drug-caused-deviant-sexual-behaviour