Man Awarded £70K After Rare Medication Side Effect Caused Compulsive Gambling

Man Receives £70,000 Settlement After Medication Triggers Compulsive Gambling

A 66-year-old man has been awarded £70,000 in a settlement after developing compulsive gambling and shopping behaviors caused by medication prescribed for restless leg syndrome.

Philip Stevens, from Ringwood, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995. By 2015, his health had declined, forcing him to give up work. In July 2017, Mr. Stevens began experiencing a tremor in his left leg that disrupted his sleep. His GP diagnosed him with restless leg syndrome and prescribed Ropinirole, a dopamine agonist.

Mr. Stevens’ legal representatives, Leigh Day solicitors, argued that the GP failed to warn him about the potential side effects of the drug, which include impulse control disorders. These disorders can lead to compulsive behaviors such as gambling and excessive shopping.

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A spokesperson for Leigh Day stated that while Mr. Stevens had previously enjoyed occasional, controlled horse race betting, his gambling behavior escalated significantly after taking Ropinirole. He began placing bets compulsively, often on his smartphone and even waking up at night to gamble.

Over four years, Mr. Stevens spent thousands of pounds on online gambling. He bet on a wide range of events, lost control over his actions, and no longer cared about winning.

In addition to gambling, Mr. Stevens developed compulsive shopping habits. He purchased clothes that he hid from his wife and became fixated on three-day fishing trips, acquiring large quantities of fishing gear. These behaviors were described as “obsessive” and out of character.

Withdrawal Symptoms and Mental Health Impact

In October 2021, a neurologist reviewed Mr. Stevens’ case and stopped the Ropinirole prescription. However, he claimed he received no advice on how to taper the medication gradually. Following this, he began experiencing withdrawal symptoms including exhaustion, hallucinations, and paranoia. He recalled asking his children to take DNA tests, convinced they were not his.

The severity of his withdrawal symptoms led to depression, and by August 2022, Mr. Stevens was referred to a local mental health crisis team.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Mr. Stevens said:

“The things that I once enjoyed that became obsessions, such as fishing and horse racing, are now joyless because with each one a sense of guilt overcomes me.

“I am not the same person as I was pre-Ropinirole. The withdrawal symptoms along with the shame of my compulsive behavior have mentally drained me and left me very withdrawn.

“On a positive level, my marriage has survived, and I am beginning to look forward more than backwards. Maybe one day I will believe that what happened to me was not my fault.”

Legal and Professional Commentary

Medical negligence solicitor Angharad Vaughan emphasized the importance of providing patients with comprehensive information about potential medication side effects. She stated:

“It is shocking that it took so long for a medical professional to flag the potential side-effects and withdrawal symptoms from taking Ropinirole.

“We hope that important lessons will be learned from this case to ensure that, in future, patients receive all the information they need.”

The settlement, which was reached without the GP accepting liability, reflects the profound impact on Mr. Stevens’ mental health, relationships, and financial stability.

Leigh Day hopes this case will raise awareness about the risks associated with dopamine agonist medications and improve communication between healthcare professionals and patients regarding potential side effects.