The Recall Lawyers

At first blush, people laugh when they hear about stories like the one below. Surely a drug could never cause someone to be a compulsive gambler or sex addict. Surely not.

Well, stop laughing because it is true --and the manufacturers of drugs like Mirapex and ReQuip know it. In fact, the makers of Mirapex have even lost at trial on the issue. This is a serious problem that is causing people to lose hundreds of thousands (and sometimes millions) of dollars gambling. The drugs also cause compulsive sex and compulsive shopping behavior. We represent over a hundred such individuals and we've seen the toll that this has taken on their lives.

The warnings of these side effects are hidden deep in the product warning sections, where most consumers never look. The companies try to escape liability under a legal doctrine known as the learned intermediary doctrine, which says that your doctor is charged with giving you the warnings if the manufacturer adequately warned the doctor. The problem, however, is that doctors prescribe thousands of drugs every year and don't have time to read the physicians desk reference from cover to cover every year. Therefore, consumers never get warned about serious side effects and the manufacturers escape liability many times.

I'll step off of my soapbox now and share the article with you. Here it is: ReQuip Lawsuit Article

Jones Ward PLC's lawyers have filed numerous Mirapex lawsuits, perhaps more than any other firm in the country. The federal lawsuits allege that the popular drug Mirapex, prescribed primarily to treat the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's Disease, can cause compulsive gambling, hypersexuality and other compulsive disorders. Indeed, we represent clients who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to uncontrolled gambling.

A series of scientific studies published in prominent medical journals, such as Neurology, and conducted by highly-regarded medical research institutions, such as the Mayo Clinic, show that dopamine agonists -- the class of drugs to which Mirapex belongs -- can cause compulsive gambling and other compulsive behavior in people who have never had a problem with gambling or compulsive behavior.

In most cases studied, the desire to gamble or other compulsion ends immediately upon discontinuing Mirapex. For example, according to a 2008 study of more than 3,000 Parkinson's patients, those on dopamine agonists like Mirapex are nearly three times more likely to have at least one impulse-control disorder, including gambling addiction, compared to those receiving other treatments. Mirapex contains a chemical that attaches to the dopamine receptors in the brain linked to pleasure and reward-seeking behavior.

Anyone wishing to discuss a potential Mirapex lawsuit with an experienced Mirapex lawyer is encouraged to call Jones Ward PLC at 1-866-587-0002 or email larry@jonesward.com.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer Larry Jones. Larry can be reached at larry@jonesward.com or by using his toll-free number 1-888-KYLAW22.

Drug companies and researchers have known for more than five years about the connection between the drug Mirapex (used to treat Parkinson's, RLS and MS) and gambling or gambling addictions, according to the Associated Press.

According to the Associated Press, "Mirapex, or pramipexole, reduces tremors and the slow, stiff movements that are a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. It belongs to a class of drugs that mimic the effects of dopamine, a brain chemical that controls movement and is deficient in Parkinson's disease. "

The lawyers at Jones Ward PLC represent dozens of people and families from across the country whose lives have been negatively effected or devastated by gambling addiction after taking Mirapex. If you or a loved one think that Mirapex may be causing uncontrollable gambling or other addiction (including sexual addiction, excessive shopping or spending, and overeating), contact your doctor immediately.

If you would like to speak to an attorney about your legal rights, feel free to contact the attorneys at Jones Ward PLC.

Posted by Louisville, Kentucky lawyer Jasper Ward. Jasper can be reached at jasper@jonesward.com or by using his toll-free number 1-888-KYLAW22.