| By :
Nick Messe
Reglan, also referred to as metoclopramide, is a commonly prescribed drug for treating gastrointestinal disorders, such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), nausea, heartburn and vomiting. Even though being prescribed, it may cause tardive dyskinesia, a severe and permanent condition that causes uncontrollable movement of the face and extremities. Someone suffering from this disorder often will experience grimacing, lip smacking, puckering, tongue protrusion, pursing lips and rapid blinking or eye movements. People who are taking this medication at high doses for a longer period of time and elderly women are most at risk for developing tardive dyskinesia. The side effects of Reglan and the cost of living with this condition are great. Patients often need to be hospitalized and need rehabilitation services. Many patients will have to live with long-term disability, which will prevent them from working and making a living. Some people also suffer severe emotional cost as they become reclusive from being embarrassed by the physical characteristics of this disorder. The number of patients who have taken Reglan, developed side effects, and are now exploring their legal options is quite extensive. In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a strong public warning concerning the high-dose or long-term usage of Reglan. This was due to their concerns for patients developing tardive dyskinesia. This particular drug is FDA-approved for only short-term use for gastrointestinal disorders and only when a patient has not benefited from any other type of treatment. The FDA required that the maker of Reglan add a boxed warning to the labeling of the product stating the risks of using this drug at high doses or for long periods of time. There are many attorneys handling lawsuits against the makers of Reglan, Baxter Healthcare Corporation. These lawsuits were targeted at the manufacturer failing to warn doctors as well as users of the risk of side effects. These suits claim that the manufacturers did not estimate correctly the risk of tardive dyskinesia when someone took the drug for a long period of time. Reportedly the makers have estimated occurrences at 0.2% when in actuality the rate could have been up to 100 times higher. Some of the lawsuits claim that the makers did not investigate the accuracy of the label after safety was an issue. They also did not monitor scientific data related to Reglan and failed to perform post-market surveillance. Claims also state that the makers also knew that the risks might greatly outweigh benefits. Many individuals have filed lawsuits with a lawyer against Reglan as the manufacturers were very well aware of the dangers. The makers of Reglan state that pharmaceutical companies did not properly warn them of the likelihood of tardive dyskinsesia. Lawsuits also claim that many companies were aware that physicians were prescribing this drug to patients who were taking it for extended periods of time, and in many cases, for more than three months.
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