How a restless leg syndrome drug wrecked one man's life

I was divorced and bankrupt before I learned pramipexole could cause compulsive gambling, J. Aaron Sanders writes. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

February 4, 2026 Check out STAT+

Sponsored By

John Moore/Getty Images STAT+ | Trump administration officials blocked FDA effort to fast-track review of psychedelic treatment Trump officials halted FDA plans to fast-track a psilocybin depression drug, revealing possible discord between officials and MAHA's psychedelic allies. By Lizzy Lawrence, Elaine Chen, and Damian Garde STAT+ | FTC settles lawsuit with Express Scripts over charges it manipulated insulin prices, impeded access Express Scripts, which is owned by Cigna, must make several 'fundamental changes' to its dealings with employers, health plans, and pharmacies. By Ed Silverman STAT+ | Epic launches AI Charting, potentially scrambling the ambient scribe market Epic Systems announced more details around its long-anticipated AI Charting feature, which could disrupt the market for ambient scribes. By Brittany Trang Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Opinion: I spent nearly 20 years on a drug for restless leg syndrome. It wrecked my life Pramipexole for restless leg syndrome and Parkinson's can cause compulsive behaviors. Doctors don't always warn patients. By J. Aaron Sanders Opinion: Measles in an ICE facility is a public health failure A measles outbreak in a Texas immigration detention center was foreseeable, preventable, and rooted in policy choices that neglect basic public health. By Krutika Kuppalli STAT+ | FDA Commissioner Marty Makary tries to soothe staff concerns over voucher program At an employee town hall, Food and Drug Administration leaders tried to quell staff concerns about the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher. By Lizzy Lawrence Courtesy Jack Liu Junior scientists face a quandary when starting their own labs: How far to stray from the hive Research suggests early-career scientists benefit from some overlap with advisers' work, but too much can backfire once independence begins. By Jonathan Wosen New PBM law could open door to direct sales between employers, drugmakers The pharmacy benefit manager reforms prohibits PBMs from linking their payments to drug prices in Medicare and require more transparency By John Wilkerson

More around STAT

Check out more exclusive coverage with a STAT+ subscription Read premium in-depth biotech, pharma, policy, and life science coverage and analysis with all of our STAT+ articles.

---

Enjoying Daily Recap? Tell us about your experience Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play

STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA ©2026, All Rights Reserved. I no longer wish to receive STAT emails

Update Newsletter Preferences     •    Contact Us     •    Advertise with Us     •    View in Browser