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Reglan Side Effects Responsible For Serious Movement Disorder

By Katie Kelley

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 04Aug2009
Word count: 482
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Recent reports indicate that a commonly prescribed medicine could be responsible for a serious movement disorder. The medication is known as Metoclopramide (also referred to by the brand name Reglan) and could cause a serious disorder known as Tardive dyskinesia, a disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the extremities. This could manifest itself as facial tics like grimacing, lip smacking and tongue protrusion, pursing of the lips, or impaired movement of the fingers. Additionally, some patients experience rapid eye movements or blinking. These symptoms are rarely reversible and there is no known treatment, though some patients have shown diminished or disappearing symptoms after treatment is stopped.

To this end, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instituted several requirements for labeling of the medication. In February 2009, the FDA warned against long-term use of medication that contained Reglan. In March, the FDA included a section on Reglan in their monthly MedWatch Safety Alert newsletter, where they reported that long-term use of drugs containing Reglan could result in a tardive dyskinesia. In June 2009, the FDA published an announcement requiring all medications containing Reglan to carry a strong warning advising that the potential to develop serious side effects after use longer than four weeks. In addition to the warning label required by the FDA, manufacturers of medications are now required to implement what is known as a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy to ensure patients are provided with a medication guide that discusses this risk.

Metoclopramide or Reglan is used to treat several gastrointestinal disorders including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). It works by increasing the movement of stomach muscles, thereby increasing the rate at which material is transferred from the stomach to the large intestine. It is available by prescription only, and is supposed to be a short-term remedy for most gastrointestinal problems. Many patients are prescribed less than three weeks worth of a medication containing Reglan. However, in a few cases, patients have been kept on a longer regimen of medication containing such a drug. Now, those patients should receive the same caveat from their physician as they will most likely receive from the label changes instituted by the FDA.

Tardive dyskinesia is a severe and chronic condition for which no known treatment exists. Since it is a deblilitating condition affecting the muscles, it may be difficult to find proper employment opportunities if affected by this condition. It is also possible that anyone who has been diagnosed with this condition after taking medications containing metoclopramide could develop a Reglan lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could provide monetary compensation for affected individuals which could be used to cover medical expenses, provide an increased quality of life. It is in the best interest of anyone who has been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia as a result of taking any medication containing Reglan to contact an experienced injury attorney to assist with the development of such a lawsuit.

Individuals seeking information regarding Reglan are encouraged to visit LegalView.com for access to a wealth of resources, including developing a Reglan lawsuit and contacting a Reglan lawfirm.

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