[Pathological gambling induced by dopamine agonists]

Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr. 2011 Aug;79(8):470-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1281580. Epub 2011 Aug 1.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Problems with impulse control and pathological gambling are known as possible side effects of dopaminergic therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease. We report 2 cases of pathological gambling induced by dopamine agonists in patients without Parkinson's disease. The first patient, a 46-year-old man, was treated with ropinirole for restless legs syndrome and had lost huge amounts of money in the context of internet-based poker game. Another 46-year-old male patient developed pathological gambling under treatment with cabergoline administered for prolactinoma. The two cases implicate pathological gambling as a possible consequence of dopaminergic treatment and support the increasing evidence regarding pathological gambling as an adverse drug reaction of dopaminergic treatment, also in patients who do not suffer from Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cabergoline
  • Dopamine Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Ergolines / adverse effects*
  • Ergolines / therapeutic use
  • Gambling / chemically induced*
  • Gambling / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Indoles / adverse effects*
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prolactinoma / complications
  • Prolactinoma / drug therapy
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / complications
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Ergolines
  • Indoles
  • ropinirole
  • Cabergoline