Story of Dopamine Agonists

Dopamine agonists offered hope for Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome, yet they triggered concealed compulsive disorders in countless individuals, devastating lives due to inadequate warnings.leedsth+1

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By imitating dopamine to alleviate symptoms, these drugs excessively activate brain reward circuits, sparking impulse control issues such as excessive gambling, heightened sexual urges, obsessive buying, and uncontrolled overeating. Prominent examples are:

• Pramipexole (Mirapexin, Sifrol)
   
• Ropinirole (Requip, Adartrel, Repinex)
   
• Rotigotine (Neupro patches)
   
• Apomorphine (Apo-go injections)
   
• Cabergoline (Dostinex)
   
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
   
• Additional agents like pergolide (now discontinued) and quinagolideParkinson's+4​
   

In use since the 1970s, research as early as then indicated compulsions in up to 17% of patients, but product labelling minimised dangers, routine surveillance was lacking, and vulnerability assessments were overlooked.leedsth+1

Pharmaceutical firms emphasised profits above precautions, as the NHS neglected mandatory consent discussions and follow-ups, forcing families to manage financial ruin, separations, and heartbreak—echoing my late father's ordeal beginning in 2005.clevelandclinic

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We reveal these institutional shortcomings, unite affected individuals for compassionate aid, and pursue judicial responsibility from drug makers and health services. Submit your experience to DJA confidentially to strengthen the demand for reform.

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Sources:
https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/patients/resources/parkinsons-medicines-dopamine-agonists/leedsth​
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information/drugs/dopamine-agonistsParkinson's​
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/parkinsons-disease-medicationsclevelandclinic​
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551686/ncbi.nlm.nih​
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_agonistwikipedia​

1. https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/patients/resources/parkinsons-medicines-dopamine-agonists/
2. https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information/drugs/dopamine-agonists
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551686/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine_agonist
5. https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications/dopamine-antagonists
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/parkinsons-disease-medications