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Reglan/Metoclopramide and Tardive Dyskinesia/Dystonia

By M. Brandon Smith

Over two million Americans take some type of product that has Reglan in it. Even with it's wide spread popularity and continuous use, the drug has been linked to tardive dyskinesia.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine put out an important warning in the beginning of this year:

'Taking metoclopramide may cause you to develop a muscle problem called tardive dyskinesia. If you develop tardive dyskinesia, you will move your muscles, especially the muscles in your face in unusual ways. You will not be able to control or stop these movements. Tardive dyskinesia may not go away even after you stop taking metoclopramide. The longer you take metoclopramide, the greater the risk that you will develop tardive dyskinesia. Therefore, your doctor will probably tell you not to take metoclopramide for longer than 12 weeks.'

The warning on their website continues to explain what happens if you are diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia.

The name brand of metoclopramide is Reglan. This type of prescription drug is used to relieve heartburn and accelerate the healing of ulcers and sores in the esophagus in patients who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where there is a backward flow of acid from the stomach that causes heartburn and injury in the esophagus.

FDA required a Black Box warning to be placed on Reglan's drug labels in February of 2009. This was mandated in order to alert doctors and their patients of the increased risk of developing tardive dyskinesia when using Reglan. Black Box warnings are only mandated in the most serious cases and is one of FDA's highest warnings.

Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia include blinking and rapid eye movement, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, grimacing, neck pulls, involuntary facial gestures, difficulty breathing, and involuntary and impaired finger movements.

Investigators are still researching how to cure Reglan induced Tardive Dyskinesia. Tardive Dyskinesia is a terrible side effect of taking Reglan. If you begin to have any of the above symptoms after taking a product with Reglan in it, seek immediate medical attention.

Our Reglan Lawyers continue to investigate potential Reglan lawsuits and Reglan claims of those who suffer from movement disorder side effects such as Tardive Dyskinesia and Dystonia. If you or a loved one has suffered from side effects such as Tardive Dyskinesia after taking Reglan or metoclopramide, you may want to call our Reglan Lawyers to help protect your legal interests.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by M. Brandon Smith

Full post as published by Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer on December 06, 2010 (boomark / email).