Reglan (Metoclopramide) Lawyer

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a “black box” warning for metoclopramide drugs. This is the strongest warning issued by the FDA for pharmaceutical products.

The warning has been ordered due to the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia as a result of high dosage or extended use of metoclopramide drugs. Patients have developed tardive dyskinesia even after stopping consumption of these drugs.

One of the most common metoclopramide drugs is Reglan. The following pharmaceuticals have received this “black box” warning:

• Reglan tablets
• Reglan oral disintegrating tablets
• Reglan injection
• Metoclopramide oral solution

What is Reglan?

Reglan is a metoclopramide drug used to increase stomach contractions to speed up the rate your stomach empties food into the intestines. It is commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis, a condition marked by a failure of the stomach muscles to contract. Symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Persistent fullness after meals
• Loss of appetite

Reglan is also prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disorder, a condition where stomach contents return to the esophagus instead of emptying into the intestine. On occasion, it is prescribed to help cancer patients suffering from nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy treatments.

Reglan should always be taken in low dosages and for short periods of time. It is not advisable to continue using Reglan for more than three months.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that develops from long-term consumption of neuroleptic drugs. Neuroleptic drugs are commonly prescribed to treat psychiatric, gastrointestinal, and neurological disorders. Recent studies have also linked metoclopramides to an increased risk of tardive dyskinesia.

People suffering from tardive dyskinesia experience repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements. Symptoms include:

• Grimacing
• Tongue protrusion
• Lip smacking, puckering, and pursing
• Rapid blinking
• Rapid movements of the arms and legs
• Involuntary finger movements

Currently, there is no treatment for tardive dyskinesia. Doctors will generally stop or reduce the use of the drug causing the disorder. However, for patients with a severe condition such as Parkinson’s disease, this is not always feasible. Whenever possible, doctors will try alternative drugs to treat the underlying condition requiring the patient to take neuroleptics or metoclopramides.

Often, symptoms of tardive dyskinesia will persist for a long time after the neuroleptic or metoclopramide drugs have been eliminated from a patient’s treatment regimen. In some patients, symptoms will lessen in severity over time. However, in extreme cases, symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may be permanent.

What You Can Do

If you are taking Reglan or any other metoclopramide drug, consult your doctor immediately to see if there is an alternative treatment that poses less of a risk to your health. If you have developed tardive dyskinesia or any other adverse condition from taking Reglan, you can contact the FDA’s MedWatch program to file a report.

If you are suffering from tardive dyskinesia as a result of taking Reglan, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. It is important to consult with an experienced pharmaceutical injury attorney in your area to ensure that your rights are defended.

You can use the links at the bottom of this page to locate an experienced pharmaceutical injury lawyer in your area.

Click here for detailed information on pharmaceutical injury law.