Myth 42 : People with Parkinson's become less quickly addicted

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Addiction (also referred to as "impulse control disorders") can be caused by the use of Parkinson's medication. Infamous examples include addiction to gambling, sex, shopping, or the Parkinson's pills themselves (taking more medication than needed). The risk of this is especially high when using the so-called dopamine agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine), but it may also occur when using levodopa, and even after surgery (deep brain stimulation). Also, the risk is clearly greater among younger people, and especially men. But addiction can also occur in older people and in women. The people themselves are not always aware of the problem, so it is essential that the partners or other fellow citizens are alert.

 

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