Philip Stevens, a 66-year-old man from Hampshire, has been awarded £70,000 ($88,000) in a settlement with his doctor after developing a gambling addiction linked to a medication prescribed for restless leg syndrome. The settlement was announced by his lawyers on Friday.
Stevens was prescribed Ropinirole, a dopamine antagonist, in 2017 but was not made aware of potential side effects, including impulse control disorder. Previously cautious in his approach to betting at horse races, Stevens’ gambling habits spiraled out of control following the medication, leading him to gamble on his smartphone, even waking in the night to place bets.
In addition to gambling, he developed a compulsive shopping habit, accumulating excessive amounts of clothing and fishing gear. A spokeswoman for Leigh Day solicitors stated, “Over the four years that Philip took Ropinirole, he spent thousands of pounds on online gambling websites. His gambling became compulsive, and he was betting on anything he could without regard for winning.”
Stevens ceased taking the medication after consulting a neurologist, at which point his compulsive behavior diminished. However, he experienced severe withdrawal symptoms, including paranoia that led him to question the parentage of his children.
Lawyer Angharad Vaughan expressed hope that the case would lead to better patient education on the potential side effects of medications. The financial settlement was reached without the doctor admitting any liability
