The Mirapex Claim Center is no longer offering new case evaluations. For information regarding a current case, please check with your attorney directly.
Mirapex Has Been Associated With Impulse Control Disorders Which In Many Cases Have Led To Excessive Gambling, Eating and Sexual Urges
Mirapex, a popular drug in the treatment of Parkinson's disease manufactured and distributed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, has been at the center of a controversy since hundreds have alleged that since taking the medication they are finding themselves feeling powerful urges to gamble, shop, have sex and eat compulsively. Many have stated that they find these urges uncontrollable, resulting often in broken marriages, bankruptcy, and host of psychological problems including depression and suicide. Many encounter legal problems in addition to everything else as a result of these compulsions.
Mirapex was approved by the FDA in 1997 and as of the end of 2004 accounted for almost eighteen percent (18%) of prescriptions written to treat Parkinson's disease. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals 2004 annual report listed over $235 million in Mirapex sales in 2004 a 63% increase from the previous year. Millions of doses of Mirapex are prescribed annually in North America.
The link between Mirapex gambling, sex and eating are not the only compulsive behaviors being reported. There are cases where the complainants have painted their homes ten to fifteen times in the course of two months, and other idiosyncratic behaviors. In virtually every alleged case, the person involved had no prior history of obsessive or compulsive behaviors.
It was only this year where the package insert of the medication started including a warning about compulsive behaviors as a side effect ("including sexual and pathological gambling"), but many feel the seven word warning buried in a 15 to 20 page document is not enough.
A 2003 report in the journal "Neurology" covered the work of researchers at the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Research Center in Arizona. They surveyed 1,800 Parkinson's patients over a one year period and determined that of the 529 patients in the study who took Mirapex, eight developed gambling addictions. This means that thousands of users may be experiencing these compulsions.
Scientists see a probable connection between Parkinson's disease and dopamine, an important neurotransmitter that is associated with mood, behavior, pleasure and pain, and addiction. Mirpaex, a member of the class of drugs called "dopamine agonists" works by imitating the actions of dopamine in the brain, which also helps to control the tremors in smooth muscle that is associated with Parkinson's disease.
We are evaluating claims against the manufacturer for people who have developed these disorders free of charge.
How do I find out whether I have a valid claim against the manufacturers?
If you or a loved one have developed compulsive urges after taking Mirapex, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of Mirapex. If you would like to have us help you determine whether you may have a claim, click here to fill out the free claim evaluation form.
Mesothelioma
Mirapex Claim Center are also currently exploring Mesothelioma claims. Mesothelioma is a disease brought on by asbestos exposure.
