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Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
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Parkinson's Drugs Boost Libido, Alter Orientation?
pine Webmaster of Pineapple
2009/03/13 23:40
508 topics published
Reporters Chen Yuanchun and Ke Jiajie / Taipei Report

Dopamine agonists used to treat Parkinson's disease have reportedly caused incredible side effects abroad, such as heightened libido and changes in sexual orientation. Domestic doctors say they have yet to encounter cases of sexual orientation changes, but a small number of patients do experience increased libido as a side effect.

Patients with Parkinson's disease, like the renowned musician Li Tai-hsiang, whose hands and feet tremble involuntarily, often take dopamine agonists as treatment. However, French media has reported that some patients exhibit abnormal behaviors after taking the medication, including theft, gambling, changes in sexual orientation, and even heightened sexual desire.

Renowned musician Li Tai-hsiang said, "I haven’t experienced any strange side effects!"

While Li claims no unusual symptoms, domestic doctors confirm that a small number of younger patients do experience increased libido as a side effect. Dr. Wu Yu-li, Director of Neurology and Epilepsy at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, stated, "After taking this medication, patients may find their movements easier, but they may also experience heightened sexual desire."

Reviewing the warnings on dopamine agonist labels, most caution about potential mental confusion. However, the Department of Health has decided to issue a notice reminding doctors of other possible side effects. Doctors also emphasize that patients who experience side effects usually show identifiable risk factors.

Dr. Chen Rou-xian, Director of Neurology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained, "Patients who develop symptoms earlier, have more severe conditions, or have a longer disease duration—especially those who, in addition to typical Parkinson’s symptoms, also have pre-existing mood disorders—are more susceptible."

Other high-risk groups include younger patients or those on higher medication doses. Parkinson’s patients are advised to seek medical attention immediately if abnormal behaviors arise and discuss with their doctors whether a change in medication is necessary.

Source: http://www. nownews. com/ 2007/ 12/ 10/ 327- 2199667. htm

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Parkinson's Drug Turns Him into Thief, Gay Man
pine Webmaster of Pineapple
2009/03/13 23:43
508 topics published
Liberty Times 2007/12/10
Taking Parkinson’s Medication Turned Him Into a Thief and Gay Man
Legal Action Filed for Compensation, High Chance of Winning the Case

[Compiled by Yu Chih-min, Wang Chang-min / Comprehensive Report]

A 47-year-old French man suffering from Parkinson’s disease took a medication containing dopamine agonists to treat his condition. However, the side effects of the drug turned him into a gambler and a thief, even causing him to develop "irresistible desires" for the same sex. He filed a lawsuit seeking 400,000 euros (approximately NT$18.91 million) in compensation. The French court is highly likely to rule in favor of the plaintiff, awarding him substantial damages.

No Adverse Reaction Reports in Taiwan Yet

The outcome of this case will be closely watched by lawyers representing Parkinson’s patients in countries such as the UK, the U.S., and Canada, and could trigger a chain reaction. Liao Chi-chou, Director of the Department of Pharmaceuticals at Taiwan’s Department of Health, stated that while similar reports have been heard of in the past, no adverse drug reaction notifications related to this medication have been received domestically so far. The Department of Health will proactively investigate the matter. If similar cases emerge in Taiwan, the department may issue warnings urging physicians to prescribe this drug with caution.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system, with primary symptoms including tremors in the hands and feet, stiffness, slow movement, and difficulty maintaining balance. Dopamine agonist drugs mimic the effects of dopamine and are a common ingredient in Parkinson’s medications produced by several well-known pharmaceutical companies. Most patients experience effective relief from muscle tremors and movement difficulties after taking these drugs.

However, according to a report by the UK’s *The Observer*, Jean-Paul, an employee of the French Ministry of Defense, began betting on horse races online within a year of taking the medication. By December 2004, he attempted suicide for the first time, followed by two more unsuccessful attempts. The following year, he developed uncontrollable desires for the same sex, frequently seeking sexual partners on gay websites and bringing them home. Jean-Paul eventually accumulated 130,000 euros in gambling debts, forcing him to steal from family, friends, and neighbors to repay them. He even sold his two young children’s toys.

Dr. Damier, head of the neurology department at Nantes Medical Center in France, said that as soon as Jean-Paul arrived at the hospital, doctors knew his issues were caused by the dopamine agonist medication. After switching his medication, Jean-Paul’s bizarre behaviors disappeared entirely. Jean-Paul stated that if he hadn’t changed medications, he might have committed suicide or ended up in prison.

Last month, two Parkinson’s patients in the UK also claimed they developed gambling addictions after taking Mirapexin, a drug containing dopamine agonists, and have filed lawsuits for compensation.

Apple Daily 2007/12/10
Sudden Transformation Into a Sex Addict After Taking Medication
Health Department Issues Alert Today Regarding Parkinson’s Drug Side Effects

Famous individuals with Parkinson’s disease include renowned Taiwanese composer Li Tai-hsiang, former world boxing champion Muhammad Ali, and Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox.

[Comprehensive Report] Among the 200,000 to 300,000 Parkinson’s disease patients in Taiwan, nearly 90% use dopamine agonists to alleviate symptoms such as involuntary tremors. However, French media recently reported that a male patient developed tendencies toward theft and gambling after taking dopamine agonists, and even switched from heterosexuality to homosexuality. Last month, a French court ruled that the pharmaceutical company and doctors must compensate the man NT$19 million. Another female patient reportedly became addicted to sex after taking the medication, even resorting to prostitution to satisfy her urges.

Use Medication with Caution

The Department of Health stated that it will issue a notice to all medical institutions across Taiwan today, reminding physicians to be aware of these potential side effects when prescribing the drug.Wang Shu-jun, director of the general neurology department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, said yesterday that he once treated a male Parkinson's patient whose libido surged after taking medication. Due to his advanced age, he had the desire but not the ability, so he could only occasionally take taxis to red-light districts to "satisfy his cravings." Other domestic doctors and pharmaceutical companies stated they had never heard of patients experiencing changes in sexual orientation after taking dopamine agonists.

According to reports from France's *Le Monde* and the UK's *The Guardian*, 47-year-old Frenchman Didier Jambart was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2003 and began taking dopamine agonists produced by an American pharmaceutical company. His condition initially improved, but as the dosage increased, his behavior became increasingly abnormal.

### French Man Awarded Nearly 20 Million in Compensation

Jambart visited casinos almost daily and gambled on horse races online, losing a total of 160,000 euros (approximately NT$7.6 million). He admitted he couldn't control himself, saying despairingly, "I didn't know what was happening. I was in such pain that I attempted suicide three times in December 2004." He added that aside from gambling, he also had urges to steal, even going so far as to sell toys stolen from his two young sons.

What confused Jambart the most was his gradual change in sexual orientation. Starting in 2005, the married father of two began experiencing sexual impulses toward men, constantly browsing gay websites to find partners. Jambart said, "I know of many horrifying cases—some people locked themselves up to quit the gambling addiction caused by dopamine agonists. One woman’s libido skyrocketed after taking the drug, leading her to buy a van and become a prostitute."

Jambart’s compulsive behaviors stopped only after he discontinued the medication. He sued over the matter, and last month, a French court ruled that he would receive 400,000 euros (approximately NT$19 million) in compensation, to be paid by the pharmaceutical company and his doctor. The court prohibited disclosing the name of the drug manufacturer. Foreign reports also noted that the pharmaceutical company had known about the drug’s potential to cause behavioral abnormalities seven years prior. However, it failed to issue warnings, leading to financial ruin and psychological trauma for patients—a responsibility it could not evade.

### Switching Medication Possible If Side Effects Occur

Fabrice Fauvet, founder of the French Parkinson’s patient support organization Mediapark, said that several female patients in the country had become addicted to sex after taking dopamine agonists, eventually resorting to prostitution to satisfy their heightened libido.

Several domestic pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan produce or distribute dopamine agonists. Yu De-he, manager of Taiwan Boehringer Ingelheim, which distributes the dopamine agonist Mirapex, stated that the medical community had indeed reported cases of Parkinson’s patients developing compulsive behaviors like gambling and stealing after taking dopamine agonists. The incidence of such side effects abroad is about one in a thousand, while in Taiwan, it is less than 1%. Some domestically distributed dopamine agonists now include warnings in their instructions about potential side effects like sexual dysfunction and mental confusion.

Chang Cheng-neng, director of the neurosurgery department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, explained that Parkinson’s patients suffer from insufficient dopamine secretion in the brain, leading to symptoms like involuntary tremors. Dopamine agonists can sometimes help alleviate these symptoms, and nearly 90% of Parkinson’s patients use them. Compulsive behaviors after taking dopamine agonists may be related to excessive neural feedback in the brain. If side effects occur, patients can consider switching medications or exploring surgical options for improvement.Many celebrities both domestically and internationally have suffered from Parkinson's disease, such as former American boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox from *Back to the Future*, and Taiwanese music master Li Tai-hsiang. *Apple Daily* reporters were unable to reach Li Tai-hsiang yesterday, but his former manager Ke Hung-chih stated that Li’s mood and personality had not changed due to his medication.

### Side Effects of Parkinson’s Disease Medication

**Increased Libido**
In France, a female patient experienced heightened sexual desire after taking dopamine agonists, even resorting to prostitution to satisfy her urges.

**Change in Sexual Orientation**
A married French man with two children, Jean Barre, developed sexual impulses toward men after taking dopamine agonists for Parkinson’s, leading him to seek partners on gay websites.

**Gambling Addiction**
Jean Barre also exhibited theft and gambling addictions, losing approximately NT$7.6 million in online horse betting within 18 months. He later sued the pharmaceutical company and was awarded around NT$19 million in compensation.

### Dopamine Agonists

**Function:**
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, and insufficient secretion may lead to Parkinson’s disease. Dopamine agonists stimulate dopamine receptors in the brain to release dopamine, alleviating symptoms like involuntary tremors.

**Side Effects:**
Drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and lethargy. Medications available domestically include warning labels.

**Precautions:**
- If symptoms such as tremors, sweating, or weight loss occur after taking the medication, consult a doctor.
- If increased libido, gambling addiction, or changes in sexual orientation occur, consider switching medications.

**Available Brands:**
Several dopamine agonists are available, such as Requip and Mirapex.

**Source:** Deng Hsin-tang, Director of Pharmacy at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

### Parkinson’s Disease

**Causes:**
Degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the brain leads to basal ganglia neuron deterioration. Symptoms appear when 80% of cells die, though the exact cause is unknown—aging is a known factor.

**Symptoms:**
- Early stage: Fatigue, mild muscle pain or cramps.
- Middle stage: Changes in hand movements, illegible handwriting.
- Late stage: Tremors, stiffness, or slowed movement.

**Common Age Group:**
Over 60 years old, with an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 patients in Taiwan.

**Precautions:**
Late-stage Parkinson’s may cause hallucinations and increased libido, which dopamine agonists could exacerbate.

**Source:** Doctors Deng Zhong-quan and Zhang Cheng-neng

*Apple Daily* 2007/12/11
**Parkinson’s Medication Increases Libido—Guidelines Issued as Reminder**

Several dopamine agonists are available domestically, such as Requip (left) and Mirapex.

**[Reported by Gao Li-ling and Chen Bai-yin, Taipei]**

Foreign reports indicate that Parkinson’s patients taking dopamine agonists may experience side effects such as gambling addiction, heightened libido, and changes in sexual orientation. Neither the Department of Health nor pharmaceutical companies have received reports of such symptoms in Taiwan, but some drug manufacturers plan to issue medication guidelines to warn users about these potential side effects.

Liao Chi-chou, Director of the Department of Health’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Division, stated that commonly used dopamine agonists in Taiwan include Requip, Mirapex, and Celance. The drug labels already note that "especially at high doses, there have been reports of increased libido and pathological gambling." The Department of Health has issued a notice to medical institutions advising doctors to prescribe these medications cautiously.

**Side Effects Listed on Labels**

GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Requip, and Merck Sharp & Dohme, the producer of Sinemet, both stated that they have not received any reports of adverse reactions related to these medications.Yan Zesheng, the administrative manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Taiwan, which represents Mirapex, said the company will issue a notice to physicians regarding the drug's side effects and provide medication guides to patients.

Chen Rou-xian, director of the Department of Neurology at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, mentioned that several patients inquired about potential side effects during consultations yesterday. However, no cases of the aforementioned side effects have been observed in outpatient clinics so far.

Source: http://gsrat. net/ news/ newsclipDetail. php? ncdata_id=4575
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