Ever experience a sudden, strong desire to gamble , or a funny feeling that you’ve been driving in your sleep?
It could be nothing. Or maybe it’s time to finally read the warnings that came with that bottle of over-the-counter or prescription drugs you’re taking. Strange as it may sound, compulsive gambling and sleep-driving are two real side effects that have been reported by patients or drug manufacturers in recent years.
In recent months, popular new anti-smoking treatment Chantix has made headlines for its array of potential side effects, which include insomnia and nightmares. In February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Pfizer (nyse: PFE - news - people ), the manufacturer of Chantix, had updated the drug’s prescribing information to include additional warnings about the possibility of severe changes in mood and behavior in patients taking it.
Last year, over-the-counter diet drug Alli made waves. Late-night talk show hosts in particular had a field day joking about the product’s warning label, which included a recommendation to wear dark pants and bring a change of clothes to work until users had a sense for the drug’s gastrointestinal effects.
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