Metoclopramide, a medicine sold under the brand name of Reglan, has been prescribed for people suffering from nausea or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But if you are taking or have taken metoclopramide, you should know about a serious complication that can develop from long-term use. One of the most serious Reglan side effects is tardive dyskinesia.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or its less serious version, gastroesophageal reflux (or acid reflux), occurs when food that has entered the stomach backs up and re-enters the esophagus. As the food re-enters the esophagus, stomach acids also enter the esophagus, causing heartburn. Over time, continuous irritation can cause inflammation and damage to the esophagus.
Metoclopramide, or Reglan, increases the contractions in the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. It also blocks a chemical in the brain called dopamine, in an effort to decrease nausea.
This is where scientists believe the problem with metoclopramide resides. Dopamine is an important factor in how the brain controls movement, and some people who have taken metoclopramide for more than three months have developed a movement disorder called Tardive Dyskinesia. Reglan lawsuits are currently being filed by patients affected by this movement disorder.
Tardive Dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements. These movements may involve smaller muscles, such as rapid blinking of the eyelids, or larger muscle groups, such as continuous tapping of the fingers or toes. People with Tardive Dyskinesia may also have prominent involuntary movement of their arms, legs, neck or torso.
Doctors can diagnose Reglan and Tardive Dyskinesia using an Abnormal Inventory Movement Scale (AIMS). During a visual exam, doctors will determine the frequency and degree of involuntary movement to diagnose the severity of the condition.
The FDA has issued a warning about the use of metoclopramide and Reglan, particularly for long-term use. However, this warning comes too late for some. Ironically, because gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition, many patients have used metoclopramide for longer than the recommended three-month period, and therefore become more at risk for developing Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia.
Another complication is that the movement condition may not be obvious when the medicine is first taken. In fact, the term “tardive” means late and the term “dyskinesia” means movement, referring to the fact that symptoms may not appear until after the medicine has been discontinued.
For some patients who have Tardive Dyskinesia, discontinuing the medicine may ease the symptoms. Some patients recover over time. However, some patients continue to have uncontrollable and abnormal movements. While other medicines may be prescribed to help diminish the movements, for other patients, there is no cure.
If you have been diagnosed with Tardive Dyskinesia or have symptoms of the condition, you should know about your legal options for compensation. There is a limited time to file a claim and if you fail to file your case before the statute of limitations has expired you may be barred from filing a Reglan lawsuit.
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