Tardive Dyskinesia Black Box Warning on Reglan

What is Reglan?

Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug used to treat gastrointestinal problems caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children and adults.  Reglan can also be prescribed for patients with diabetic gastroparesis, and to post-operative patients and those undergoing cancer treatments.  Reglan works by increasing muscle contractions in the patient's upper digestive tract in order to increase the speed at which stomach contents are emptied into the intestines.

Reglan Side Effects

Reglan has a number of serious potential side effects including Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Tardive Dyskinesia and Tardive Dystonia.  Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause kidney damage, muscle-rigidity, delirium, fever, unstable blood pressure and coma.  The main symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia are involuntary, rapid movement in the arms and legs, as well as grimacing, rapid eye blinking, and tongue protrusion.  Tardive Dystonia is also a movement disorder, but it involves involuntary and usually painful spasms and muscle contractions.  Sometimes the presence of Tardive Dyskinesia and Tardive Dystonia can be covered up or "masked" by the very drugs which cause the disorders.  Thus, you may have Tardive Dyskinesia or Tardive Dystonia and not know it because the abnormal movements are suppressed by the medications you are taking. 

Reglan side effects appear to increase with prolonged use.  Accordingly, the FDA has only approved Reglan for short-term treatment (4-12 weeks).  Reglan should only be used after conservative methods of treatment have failed, especially in children.  The FDA has confirmed that the risk of developing Tardive Dyskinesia is greater for children and infants than for adults taking Reglan. 

Read more about Reglan.

Reglan and Infants

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) effects approximately two-thirds of all infants.  Some of the symptoms of GER in infants include regurgitating, spitting up and difficulty feeding.  GER typically resolves between six and twelve months of age. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), on the otherhand, is usually due to a poorly coordinated gastrointestinal tract and therefore may affect the child for a longer period of time.  Symptoms of GERD include frequent vomiting, frequent or persistent cough, and/or colicky behavior.  GERD is also associated with more serious symptoms including feeding problems, poor growth, breathing problems and recurrent pneumonia.

Reglan should only be used in infants after conservative treatments have failed.  Examples of conservative treatment include, elevating the head of the baby's crib, holding the baby upright for 30 minutes after a feeding, and/or changing the infant's feeding schedule.  If the conservative treatments fail, your pediatrician may recommend a drug like Reglan.  Be sure to discuss the risk of serious side effects including Tardive Dyskinesia with your doctor before starting your infant on Reglan.  It is also important to use Reglan only for short-term treatment to decrease the likelihood of developing serious side effects.

Reglan Lawsuits

If you or a loved one suffered serious injury or a loved one died after taking Reglan (metoclopramide) you may be entitled to financial compensation.  Contact us now for a Free Case Evaluation.

The attorneys at the Allen Law Firm are evaluating claims on behalf of individuals throughout the United States who have taken Reglan (metoclopramide) and suffered serious side effects including Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Tardive Dyskinesia, Tardive Dystonia or death.

Contact the Allen Law Firm today for a Free Reglan Evaluation or call 1-888-345-LAW1.  A lawyer from our firm will call you as soon as possible to help you determine the possibility of filing a potential claim.

The initial consultation is free of charge.  In personal injury cases where individuals have been injured by potentially defective products like Reglan, it is important to act quickly to preserve evidence and investigate the the injury.  Further, you must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.  If you delay filing your claim, and the statute of limitations expires, you may lose your rights to compensation.