Reglan

You take the drugs your doctor prescribes in order to improve your health and well-being. But when a medication causes serious damage, pain, and suffering, you should be informed about its problems and compensated for your losses. If you’ve been taking Reglan, and have tardive dykinesia, any movement disorder, or other serious side effects linked to the drug, you’ll want to know what you can do. Call us at the Monsour Law Firm. We will help.

Understanding Reglan and its side effects

What is Reglan ? What is Reglan prescribed to treat?

What are possible side effects of Reglan? What is tardive dyskinesia?

How are disorders linked to Reglan treated?

Who is most seriously affected by the side effects of Reglan?

Is Reglan dangerous to take with other drugs?

Is Reglan used during pregnancy and nursing?

What should I do if I, or a loved one, is suffering from problems linked to Reglan?

What is Reglan ?

Reglan (generic name metoclopramide) is a prescription medication used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in patients who have used other medications without symptom relief. It is part of a class of drugs known as dopamine antagonists. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that affects brain processes that control movement, emotional response, and ability to experience pleasure and pain and dopamine antagonists can prevent or reverse the actions of dopamine. The dopamine antagonists were originally developed in the 1950s and '60s in order to treat psychiatric patients.

By the 1990s, however, Reglan (metoclopramide) was considered less effective than other drugs in the treatment of serious mental illness and began to be used primarily for treating acid reflux, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal problems. It works by increasing the muscle contractions in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines and speeding up the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines.

What is Reglan prescribed to treat?

Reglan is approved by the FDA for treating symptomatic heartburn, particularly in individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and alleviating the symptoms of those with diabetic gastroparesis, which is a slow emptying of the stomach that can cause intense nausea, vomiting, heartburn, loss of appetite, and a feeling of fullness after meals.

Reglan has also been prescribed off-label (for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, unapproved dose or unapproved form of administration) for things such as GERD in children and infants, morning sickness for expectant mothers, and to increase production of milk in nursing mothers. It is meant to be used short-term (no more than 12 weeks) and typically only when other treatments have been ineffective.

What are possible side effects of Reglan?

In February 2009, the FDA required that manufacturers of Reglan must add a black boxed warning to their drug labels indicating that the drug carries a significant risk of serious or even life-threatening adverse effects. Reglan (metoclopramide) has been linked to a severe neurological disorder known as tardive dyskinesia (TD). This disabling condition, most frequently characterized by involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw, and sometimes by involuntary movements of the trunk and/or extremities, can result from taking Reglan for even a relatively short period of time in high doses. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has also occurred with Reglan use and is characterized by fever, muscular stiffness, movement difficulties or delirium. Patients suffering from these symptoms should call a physician immediately as NMS is potentially life-threatening, if not treated quickly.

Other adverse reactions have been reported with the use of Reglan including:

• Central Nervous System (CNS) effects - Restlessness, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, headache, confusion, dizziness, mental depression with suicidal ideation, and, rarely, hallucinations.
• Extrapyramidal reactions (EPS) - Symptoms include uncontrolled spasms of your face and neck muscles, or muscles of your body, arms, and legs, facial grimacing, eye spasms, and rhythmic protrusion of your tongue.

• Parkinsonian-like symptoms including tremor, body rigidity, a mask-like facial appearance, and trouble moving or keeping your balance
• Endocrine disturbances – amenorrhea (an abnormal absence of menstruation), galactorrhea (an abnormal discharge from the breasts), gynecomastia (male development of breasts), impotence, and fluid retention.
• Cardiovascular problems including high and low blood pressure, fluid retention, acute congestive heart failure and possible atrioventricular (AV) block.
• Gastrointestinal problems, including nausea and bowel disturbances, primarily diarrhea.
• Urinary frequency and incontinence.
• Liver toxicity, characterized by jaundice and altered liver function tests, which occurs rarely.
• Allergic reactions.
• Visual disturbances.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your physician.

What is tardive dyskinesia?

Tardive dyskenesia (TD) is a serious and potentially irreversible neurological disorder that has been linked to the long-term (over three months) use of Reglan. Tardive dyskenesia causes uncontrollable, repetitive movements of the body such as lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, puckering and pursing of the lips, rapid eye movements or blinking, and rapid movements of the fingers, arms, legs, and trunk. This disorder can continue even after using Reglan has been discontinued.

Tardive dyskinesia is usually diagnosed following an extensive physical and neuropsychiatric evaluation by a doctor. This may include tests for blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, thyroid functions, and brain and body scans. Diagnosing TD in infants and children is particularly difficult, because the condition can be confused with cerebral palsy.

How is tardive dyskenesia treated?

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is difficult to treat and most doctors focus on preventing the condition. Physicians may discontinue or reduce the use of the drug causing tardive dyskinesia, although symptoms may persist or even get worse. Many different treatments have been tried to eliminate the symptoms of TD, including vitamin E, benzodiazepines, levodopa, reserpine, botullinum toxin, tetrabenazine, dopamine-depleting agents, and calcium channel blockers. While many approaches have been attempted to cure or control tardive dyskenesia, there is currently no effective method to treat this disabling disorder.

Who is most seriously affected by the side effects of Reglan?

Tardive dyskinesia can affect anyone, including infants and children. Those at greatest risk of TD include elderly people, especially older women, and people who have been on the drug for greater than three months. There is also concern that breastfed babies can contract TD from their mothers who take the drug.

Is Reglan dangerous to take with other drugs?

A total of 546 drugs (3196 brand and generic names) are known to interact with Reglan. Among those drugs is known to have adverse interactions with Reglan are:

• Other medicines that contains metoclopramide.
• Blood pressure medicine.
• Medicines for depression, especially a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI).
• Insulin.
• Medicines that can make you sleepy, such as anti-anxiety medicine, sleep medicines, and narcotics.

It is especially important to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Reglan, as the combination may result in impaired judgment, delayed response, and reduced motor skills.

Is Reglan used during pregnancy and nursing?

Although the FDA does not approve the use of Reglan during pregnancy, pregnant and nursing mothers have been prescribed Reglan to alleviate morning sickness and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Since morning sickness can extend for over four months, many pregnant women have used Reglan for long periods. Reglan is known to cross the blood-brain barrier, with consequent risk to the infant as well as the mother. Additionally, nursing mothers have been prescribed Reglan to increase milk production when other methods to address breastfeeding problems have been tried.

What should I do if I, or a loved one, is suffering from problems linked to Reglan?

First, talk to your doctor. Then consider seeking compensation for the damage Reglan has done to your health and well-being. The Monsour Law Firm is experienced and effective in Reglan litigation. We will help you get the personal injury settlement you deserve.

Reglan Lawsuits

The adverse effects from Reglan are well documented and an experienced Monsour Law Firm attorney will prepare and prosecute your case to protect your rights and your future.

What are the grounds for a Reglan lawsuit? Do you have a case?

What are the next steps to take?

What are the grounds for a Reglan lawsuit?

There are many possible grounds for a lawsuit seeking compensation for serious personal injury from using Reglan. More extensive testing and monitoring could have exposed the serious dangers of the drug, and the information provided to physicians and patients could have provided clear and accurate information about the critical side effects. As a result, grounds for a personal injury lawsuit include a failure to warn of the drug’s dangers, manufacturer negligence, extended prescription time, misuse of the drug, and understated risks.

Do you have a case?

The cost of treating Reglan-related side effects and potential conditions can be expensive. Disorders like tardive dyskenesia can have a devastating impact on every aspect of your life and the lives of your loved ones. Even if you have not contemplated litigation before, if you or your loved one has suffered because of taking the drug Reglan, you should consider seeking compensation.

What are the next steps to take?

It is important to consult a personal injury attorney that is experienced in Reglan litigation and has the skill and resources to get you the best possible results. The Monsour Law Firm will represent you with the diligence and determination you deserve. We can help.