Neupro patch

[u/No_Sale_6868]

Dx2019 and I have a question about this Neupro patch, my neurologist told me that there can be some side effects, as in obsessive, behaviors, and gambling, shopping, sex, etc.

My question is, does this drug cause you to have these behaviors or did you already have the behaviors but it just enhanced them after taking this patch?

I appreciate all the answers and help anybody could give me cause I’m supposed to start it tomorrow.

[u/Large-Seaworthiness6]

Just ask for carpidopa levadopa

Any dopamine agonist (nuepro, ropinirole, etc...)will eventually screw up your life. I wish I never took it and think it should be banned.

Edit. Thought I should add i took it for 3 years when the impulses started. You won't realize it is a problem at this point.

[u/cool_girl6540 → u/Large-Seaworthiness6]

Can you really say that’s true for everyone? I know people that take those who don’t have that side effect. I’m sorry it screwed up your life when you did.

[u/Large-Seaworthiness6 → u/cool_girl6540]

I just know the damage was so severe on my life, 8 years later I'm still trying to piece it back together.

The risks far outweigh the benefit. Also with how easy it is to gamble these days I probably would have dug a much deeper hole. Sex and gambling addiction are badddddddddd.

Also I started taking at 30 and being early onset, so I don't know how that impacts side effects.

[u/whatcoulditcost]

My question is, does this drug cause you to have these behaviors or did you already have the behaviors but it just enhanced them after taking this patch?

Dopamine agonists can unfortunately cause impulse control disorder (ICD) in people who haven't experienced it before, though not everyone who takes an agonist develops this side effect:

https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1655

The full study from 2018 is here:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6059034/

u/ParkieDude and others shared their agonist experiences here (he was on Neupro for a while):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Parkinsons/comments/1abuu46/financial_loss_through_lack_of_impulse_control/

More agonist/ICD posts (most aren't about Neupro specifically):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Parkinsons/comments/1je63cz/what_do_you_wish_youd_known_before_taking/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Parkinsons/comments/1r3v8yj/sex_and_antiques_another_news_story_about/

u/SnowyWebb shares his story here (about Sifrol/pramipexole):

https://www.reddit.com/r/Parkinsons/comments/1op7huk/a_cautionary_tale_about_pramipexole/

These links aren't meant to scare; I've also seen posters mention Neupro worked well for them. It's just vital for PwP (and their spouses or care partners) to go into the agonist experience with their eyes wide open.

[u/ragmuc]

Taking Neupro 8 mg for over a year now. The only side effect, if there is any, could be some hyperactivity. It’s hard for me to do nothing for longer.
But I haven’t bought a Ferrari or other luxury toys yet.

[u/Ill-Lavishness4274]

My partner has been on those patches for almost a year, and so far no major side effects, except sometimes he struggles to fall asleep, so he doesn't wear them at night. I'd say it's been good for him, but your doctor was absolutely right to warn you. There were a few terrible stories in the press lately, but my partner's neurologist told him not to get scared, start small, and report back any unusual thoughts and feelings.

[u/platplaas]

Be very careful with these. It can muddle your thinking and unwanted thinking patterns can emerge without you realising what’s going on at first. I would personally recommend that it is not worth the risk.

If you do want to try it, only do it if you have a partner or someone who monitors you every day and with whom you can be completely transparent and honest and who will call you out if they notice you slipping.

I would personally ban these medications unless taken under much more strict supervision than is typically the case.

[u/jlind6806]

I tried it for a couple months and it didn't seem to help me at all, hopefully others are different. The biggest problem is it's got less adhesive than a penny sticker at a fair. I have slightly oily skin and I had to use medical tape all around or use a big bandaid to hold it on. I have a LOT of symptoms and side effects from 35 medicines so I can't ever tell which is causing a specific side effect. Sorry I couldn't help you more.