Mirapex Causes Gambling Addiction? Man Sues

A Las Vegas man has filed suit against the drug Mirapex's manufacturers, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Pharmacia Corp., and Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. on March 8 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas, claiming it caused his addiction to gambling and sex.

Brian Ridenour was taking the drug to treat the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome.

The plaintiff argues that the defendants' massive marketing campaign failed to warn physicians and potential patients that Mirapex could cause compulsive behaviors like a pathological gambling addiction.

In March 2005, the manufacturer changed the label to include compulsive behaviors among the drug's possible side effects.   The lawsuit alleges, however, that the defendants failed to also include the change in the warnings section of the label.

Ridenour is seeking damages for actual damages incidental to the purchase and ingestion of Mirapex, costs of treatment for injuries, physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, pre-and post-judgment interest, court costs and attorneys' fees.

It was not immediately clear how much money Ridenour had been seeking.

Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com