Patrice Denman Attorney-at-Law

Seattle, WA: Patients who suffer from reglan neurological side effects, such as tardive dyskinesia, may be shocked to learn they took Reglan for far longer than they should have. The drug, used to treat acid reflux and heartburn, is meant to be taken for only three months. Reglan has potentially irreversible side effects that often show up after the patient has used the drug on a long-term basis.

Reglan lawsuits are now being filed by patients who say they were never warned about the risks of tardive dyskinesia or long-term use. Some patients say they took the drug for years.

In 2008, a patient named Shirley Brinkley filed a lawsuit against Wyeth, the maker of Reglan. Brinkley alleges that she was first prescribed Reglan in June, 1992 to treat motility of her stomach, and continued taking the medication until April, 2007.

According to Brinkley’s lawsuit, her doctors relied on information published in the package inserts and the Physician’s Desk Reference and were not aware that the information given could have been inaccurate or misleading.

Brinkley has been diagnosed with permanent and disabling neurological injury, including tardive dyskinesia. Her lawsuit alleges that the makers of Reglan failed to warn her and her physicians of the risks associated with Reglan, including the risk of unsafe doses. She further alleges that the defendants committed fraud by misrepresenting Reglan’s adverse effects.

Brinkley’s lawsuit seeks in excess of $600,000 in damages.

Other lawsuits have now also been filed against the makers of Reglan, alleging failure to adequately warn the public about the risks associated with the use of Reglan. Some of these lawsuits were filed by parents of children who were prescribed Reglan as infants and now suffer from movement disorders as a result.

For a free consultation, please contact our office at 440-639-1020

Reglan (Metoclopramide) is used to treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, acid reflux disease and heart burn. While most Reglan side effects are minor, some patients have experienced serious side effects, including tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary, repetitive movement. Some metoclopramide side effects, such as Neuropleptic Malignant Syndrome, can be fatal while others are permanent. Two studies have found that the risk of Reglan tardive dyskinesia is as high as 29 percent in long term Reglan patients. 

Reglan (Metoclopramide) is used to treat Gastroesophageal  Reflux Disease (GERD), heartburn and acid reflux disease. Although most side effects are temporary, a side effect that allegedly can be permanent, is Tardive Dyskinesia.

Tardive Dyskinesia is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements such as grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. Impaired movements of the fingers may appear as though the patient is playing an invisible guitar or piano.

The FDA has only approved Reglan for short term use (4 to 12 weeks), but approximately 30% of patients are being prescribed the medication for 12 months or longer, which can result in tardive dyskinesia.

Although the labeling mentions tardive dyskinesia as a possible side effect, it claims the occurance is rare. However, two studies have determined that 27 to 29 percent of long term users of Reglan come down with tardive dyskinesia.

Tardive is a horrible, devastating syndrome that can last a lifetime. It affects victims physically, mentally, socially, emotionally and vocationally. It can cause involuntary movements of the tongue, mouth, face, lips and even arms and legs.

Other serious Reglan side effects are Neuropleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), which is often fatal. Patients can develop NMS after only short exposure to a drug. NMS symptoms include high fever, sweating, unstable blood pressure, stupor, muscular rigidity and autonomic dysfunction. Symptons can appear within the first 2 weeks of taking a drug.

If you have taken Reglan for a long time, and have experienced the side effects of Tardive Dyskinesia or Neuropleptic Malignant Syndrome, please contact an attorney immediately to determing your rights to compensation.

Lawyers and Settlements 2009