Reglan Side Effects – Understand your rights in a Reglan Claim

The drug Reglan, sometimes called by the generic name “metoclopramide”, was approved by the FDA in 1980. Over 2 million Americans have been prescribed Reglan.  Reglan is primarily prescribed by doctors for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesphageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetic gastroparesis.  It is available in several different ways branded “Reglan” and generic “metoclopramide” products. Metoclopramide is available in a variety of forms including tablets, syrups and injections. Products that contain metoclopramide include Reglan Tablets, Metoclopramide Oral Solution, Reglan Oral Disintegrating Tablets, and Reglan Injection.

Recent studies suggest that Reglan may cause a form of nureological disease called tardive dyskinesia.   Side effects are generally only showing in patients who used metoclopramide for longer than three months. In one study that the FDA viewed, around 20% of patients who used metoclopramide took it for a period longer than three months.

Our Reglan claim law firm has learned that in many instances, Reglan has been used to treat digestive disorders in babies and infants, and the incidence of Reglan side effects in young children is equal to that of side effects in adults.   

Some of the side effects caused by Reglan are:

Parkinsonian symptoms

blepharospasm

cervical dystonia (torticollis)

ocular deviations

Akathisia

neuroleptic malignant syndrome

tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is typically a drug-induced disorder caused by the long-term use of neuroleptic drugs. Tardive dyskinesia translates literally to delayed abnormal movement.  This serious neurological syndrome is often irreversible and may become permanent.  Since the 1950’s a family of drugs referred to as dopamine receptor blocking drugs (DRB) have been prescribed for certain mental health conditions and are now also commonly prescribed for the treatment of GERD and nausea.

Tardive Dyskinesia Symptoms

Facial grimacing

Repetitive chewing

Jaw swinging

Tongue thrusting

Involuntary movement of the arms and legs

Treatment of tardive dyskinesia includes stopping or reducing the use of Reglan (metoclopramide). However, the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may continue long after discontinuation of Reglan (metoclopramide) and there is no known treatment.  In some patients, symptoms may lessen or disappear after Reglan (metoclopramide) treatment has stopped. The majority of patients who have developed tardive dyskinesia have been treated with Reglan (metoclopramide) for more than three months.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) announced in February 2009 that manufacturers of metoclopramide are required to add a black box warning to their packaging to alert consumers about the risk of the side effects associated with its long-term and/or high-dose use.  Also, the FDA is requiring manufacturers to create a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy so that patients are provided with a guide that tells about the risk of tardive dyskinesia with metoclopramide treatment.

Our law firm is currently investigating claims of all clients suffering side effects from Reglan side effects on a contingency basis.  This means that should you engage our law firm to investigate your potential Reglan claims, there are never any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.  For a free no-obligation consultation please contact us at 1-877-494-9949 or fill out our online contact form and a Reglan attorney will contact you to discuss your case.