7 November 2006
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have recently published a Public Assessent Report on dopamine agonists and pathological gambling, increased libido and hypersexuality. The report is posted in their section on safety information - safety warnings, alerts and recalls, and summarises a review by the Phamacovigilance Working Party (PhVWP) of the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP).
The European review has concluded that pathological gambling and increased libido may be class effects of dopamine agonists, which are used to treat Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome, and some endocrine disorders. New wording has been recommended for all dopamine agonists.
In a letter to the EPDA, attention was drawn to key points that the MHRA wished to inform patients. Among these points, it states that 'These side affects appear to be related to the dose of dopamine agonist and happen mainly in patients treated with high doses of the mediine'. 'Patients should seek help from their doctor if they, their family, or their carer, notice that their behavious is unusual. '
The full report can be found on the MHRA website (www.mhra.gov.uk).
