A lawyer’s £600,000 theft case has exposed a dark side of dopamine agonist drugs prescribed for Parkinson’s disease. The medication caused impulsive behaviors in Andrew, leading him to spend his clients’ money on adult webcam sites, sex workers, and antiques.
The UK’s largest study on the topic found that 1 in 6 patients taking these medications develop impulse control disorders. Doctors failed to warn patients about potential side effects, and many reported feeling ashamed about their behavior when they discovered it was caused by the medication.
Andrew’s case is not isolated. Scores of families have been torn apart by impulsive behaviors, resulting in financial devastation. The BBC has spoken to those affected, who share similar stories of compulsive shopping, gambling, and other behaviors.
The government and health regulator MHRA are under pressure to review warnings about dopamine agonist drugs. Layla Moran, chair of the MPs’ Health Select Committee, describes the findings as “devastating” and calls for clearer information on potential side effects.
In 2017, guidelines were introduced requiring doctors to give Parkinson’s patients verbal and written information about impulsive behaviors. However, many report not receiving proper warnings or being left without recourse to justice.
Andrew’s family has moved away from their home due to the devastating impact of his actions. His son took his own life after struggling to cope with what happened after Andrew’s arrest. The case highlights the need for clearer warnings and better monitoring to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clym0g4rlr2o