Health and Me

Riya Baibhawi

Common Parkinson's Drug Tied to Risky Sexual Behavior, Say Patients

A class of drugs commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome is being linked to dramatic changes in behavior — with some patients describing overwhelming, even dangerous, sexual impulses they never had before.

The medications, known as <span>dopamine agonists</span>, are designed to mimic <span>dopamine</span> — the brain chemical that controls movement and also plays a major role in how we experience pleasure. But for some people, the effects go far beyond motor symptoms. They say the drugs have triggered compulsive sexual behavior, including sex addiction, flashing, and in very rare cases, disturbing actions that have left them shocked and ashamed.

Claire, who took Ropinirole to ease her restless leg syndrome, said she barely recognized herself after starting the medication. Within a year, she found herself sneaking out at night in revealing clothing, flashing strangers, and obsessively seeking sexual encounters — all while in a committed relationship. “There’s a part of your mind that knows it’s wrong,” she told the BBC, “but it controls you to the point you don’t realize what you’re doing.” Once she stopped taking the drug, the urges vanished — but the guilt remains.

Such stories aren’t isolated. Sarah, another patient, said her once low sex drive skyrocketed after starting treatment. She began selling underwear online, arranging calls with strangers, and compulsively shopping — racking up more than $30,000 in debt. “I knew it wasn’t me, but I couldn’t stop,” she said. The fallout led to addiction, rehab, and the loss of her job and driver’s license.

Experts say these are examples of impulse control disorders — a known but often overlooked side effect of dopamine agonists. Studies suggest that up to one in four Parkinson’s patients on these drugs may develop such issues. Yet many patients say they were never properly warned.

<h2>Hypersexuality Listed In Prescribing Information</h2>Even though behavioral changes like hypersexuality are listed in prescribing information, they are often buried alongside more common side effects like nausea and fatigue. In some countries, medical guidelines now advise using these drugs only for short-term or severe cases.

The drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has faced scrutiny in the past. A 2003 internal report reviewed by the BBC described two troubling cases of sexual behavior tied to Ropinirole — including a man who assaulted a child. Though GSK said it shared the data with health authorities and updated its warnings in 2007, patients and advocates argue the information still doesn’t reach those who need it most.

In a statement, GSK said Ropinirole has been prescribed in more than 17 million treatments worldwide and has a well-established safety profile. “As with all medicines, [it] has potential side effects and these are clearly stated,” the company noted. For Claire, Sarah, and many others, those warnings came too late. “I lost years of my life,” Claire said. “If I had known the risks, I would have thought twice." 

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A class of drugs commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome is being linked to dramatic changes in behavior — with some patients describing overwhelming, even dangerous, sexual impulses they never had before.The medications, known as dopamine agonists, are designed to mimic dopamine — the brain chemical that controls movement and also plays a major role in how we experience pleasure. But for some people, the effects go far beyond motor symptoms. They say the drugs have triggered compulsive sexual behavior, including sex addiction, flashing, and in very rare cases, disturbing actions that have left them shocked and ashamed.Claire, who took Ropinirole to ease her restless leg syndrome, said she barely recognized herself after starting the medication. Within a year, she found herself sneaking out at night in revealing clothing, flashing strangers, and obsessively seeking sexual encounters — all while in a committed relationship. “There’s a part of your mind that knows it’s wrong,” she told the BBC, “but it controls you to the point you don’t realize what you’re doing.” Once she stopped taking the drug, the urges vanished — but the guilt remains.Such stories aren’t isolated. Sarah, another patient, said her once low sex drive skyrocketed after starting treatment. She began selling underwear online, arranging calls with strangers, and compulsively shopping — racking up more than $30,000 in debt. “I knew it wasn’t me, but I couldn’t stop,” she said. The fallout led to addiction, rehab, and the loss of her job and driver’s license.Experts say these are examples of impulse control disorders — a known but often overlooked side effect of dopamine agonists. Studies suggest that up to one in four Parkinson’s patients on these drugs may develop such issues. Yet many patients say they were never properly warned.Hypersexuality Listed In Prescribing InformationEven though behavioral changes like hypersexuality are listed in prescribing information, they are often buried alongside more common side effects like nausea and fatigue. In some countries, medical guidelines now advise using these drugs only for short-term or severe cases.The drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has faced scrutiny in the past. A 2003 internal report reviewed by the BBC described two troubling cases of sexual behavior tied to Ropinirole — including a man who assaulted a child. Though GSK said it shared the data with health authorities and updated its warnings in 2007, patients and advocates argue the information still doesn’t reach those who need it most.In a statement, GSK said Ropinirole has been prescribed in more than 17 million treatments worldwide and has a well-established safety profile. “As with all medicines, [it] has potential side effects and these are clearly stated,” the company noted. For Claire, Sarah, and many others, those warnings came too late. “I lost years of my life,” Claire said. “If I had known the risks, I would have thought twice." 