Reactions 1439 - 16 Feb 2013

Ropinirole

Compulsive behaviour: case reportA 41-year-old man developed compulsive behaviour while

receiving ropinirole for Parkinson’s disease.The man, who also had post-traumatic stress disorder and

major depressive disorder, was referred to a mental healthclinic for management of his psychiatric symptoms. Hereported that for the past few months he had beenexperiencing compulsive behaviour, including intense sexualdesires toward other women and gambling on scratchcards.This was unusual as he had a loving, supportive wife and hadnever gambled before. He also noted an increased appetitewith a weight gain of 9.1kg. He confirmed that he hadcompulsive eating behaviours, and drank about a 20-pack ofbeer each day. His Parkinson’s disease medications includedoral ropinirole 3mg three times daily. He stated that hisneurologist had increased his ropinirole dosage at the last visitfrom 1mg twice daily to 3mg twice daily due to worseningParkinson’s symptoms. His medical records confirmed thatthe weight gain and impulsive behaviour had begun within thefirst few weeks after the ropinirole dose was increased.

The man’s ropinirole was withdrawn, and his symptomstotally resolved. He started to lose weight and did not have theurge to gamble.

The man’s Parkinson’s motor symptoms re-emerged and hewas restarted on ropinirole which was well tolerated withoutrecurrence of his compulsive symptoms.

Author comment: "The appearance of symptoms onincreasing the dose and then improvement with reducing thedose suggests a strong correlation between ropinirole andimpulsive behavior".Singh H, et al. A case of ropinirole-induced compulsive behavior. Primary CareCompanion to CNS Disorders 14: No. 5, 2012. Available from: URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4088/PCC.12l01390 - USA 803083359

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Reactions 16 Feb 2013 No. 14390114-9954/10/1439-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved