So, I saw an ad for medication for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Normally I ignore pharmaceutical commercials but something about this ad jumped out at me. One of the side-effects they warned of was compulsive gambling.
So how exactly does that work? "My RLS was acting up so I took my meds and next thing I knew I'd blown my nest egg at the craps tables."
Do our legs have a natural urge to gamble that we suppress? Do these RLS medications counteract the suppression of our natural gambling urges?
And what happens when: "I bet you your RLS meds that you can't go a week without taking them?"
Is it any cause for concern that gambling is mentioned as a side effect for a pharmaceutical? Will Vegas casinos start dispensing this medication out of vending machines?
Although, I suppose in the grand scheme of things "gambling urges" is a rather minor side effect compared to "possible death" or "violent diarrhea." I mean I'd rather have to suffer through the craps tables as opposed to crapping on tables.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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3 comments:
I have all too often found that the cure is worse than the disease. I always advocate for alternative medicine.
Your restless legs will lose there ability to "know when to walk away and know when to run". :)
Apparently the RLS problem's medication targets the same part of the brain that has been associated with gambling addiction.
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