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Pathological Gambling Induced by Dopamine Antagonists: A Case Report

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Abstract

Pathological gambling is defined as inappropriate, persistent, and maladaptive gambling behaviour. It is a non-pharmacological addiction classified as an impulse control disorder. However, pathological gambling has been associated with dopamine agonist use. Here we report of a 28-year-old man with a first major depressive episode and a post-traumatic stress disorder who has been treated with a combination of the serotonine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor duloxetine and the tricyclic antidepressant maprotiline. The administration of antipsychotic flupentixole (up to 7 mg) turned this slight online poker gambler into an excessive gambler. Only after the discontinuation of the antidopaminergic agents and the switch to bupropion did this gambling behaviour stop which suggests a causal relationship between dopamine antagonists and pathological gambling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4012, Basel, Switzerland

    Philipp Grötsch, Claudia Lange, Gerhard A. Wiesbeck & Undine Lang

Authors
  1. Philipp Grötsch
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  2. Claudia Lange
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  3. Gerhard A. Wiesbeck
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  4. Undine Lang
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Correspondence to Claudia Lange.

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Grötsch, P., Lange, C., Wiesbeck, G.A. et al. Pathological Gambling Induced by Dopamine Antagonists: A Case Report. J Gambl Stud 31, 295–297 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-013-9433-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-013-9433-2

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