Reglan & Tardive Dyskinesia
Reglan (metoclopramide) is a prescription medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adults. This medication has been linked with Tardive Dyskinesia, a permanent movement disorder.
The FDA approved Reglan in 1995 for short-term use, generally 4 to 12 weeks. However, one-third of patients taking Reglan are doing so for periods of 12 months or longer. Of these long-term users, Tardive Dyskinesia occurs in 27 percent to 29 percent of people who use Reglan.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association in 2004, experts from the Duke University School of Medicine caution that the use of Reglan is on the rise. As a result, more cases of drug-induced Tardive Dyskinesia may develop.
Tardive Dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that consists of potentially irreversible, involuntary movements of the tongue, mouth, face, lips, and sometimes the arms, legs, and trunk. Both the risk of developing the syndrome and the likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase with the duration of Reglan use and the total cumulative dose.
Reglan Induced Tardive Dyskinesia symptoms range from being mild to severe, which may ultimately be irreversible. Some of these symptoms include:
- Involuntary movement of the hands and fingers
- Involuntary movements of the tongue, face, mouth, and jaw
- Lip smacking
- Rapid eye blinking
- Tongue protrusion
- Uncontrolled facial grimacing
- Uncontrolled movement of the arms, legs, and trunk
If you or someone you love has suffered from Tardive Dyskinesia due to the use of Reglan, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your suffering and losses. Contact our service today to get in touch with attorneys experienced with Reglan side effects and who can make sure your legal rights are protected.
|
