Reglan is a gastrointestinal drug which is commonly used to treat patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux), chronic heartburn and isolated cases of nausea and vomiting. Reglan has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for short-term use consisting of 4-12 week treatment periods, emphasizing that Reglan should only be used when more conservative treatments fail. But, it is estimated that approximately one-third of Reglan patients are being prescribed the medication for 12 months or more.
In February 2009, the FDA required that all manufactures of Reglan add a black box warning to their drug labels about the risk of its long-term or high-dose use. According to the FDA, chronic use of Reglan has been linked to Tardive Dyskinesia.
What is Tardive Dyskinesia?
Tardive Dyskinesia is a neurological syndrome that can be caused by long-term use of neuroleptic drugs, including Reglan. The disease is characterized by repetitive, involuntary and purposeless movements. Patients suffering from Tardive Dyskinesia may exhibit involuntary facial gestures, such as grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing and rapid eye blinking. They may also suffer rapid and involuntary movements of the fingers, hands, arms, shoulders, legs, and trunk. The disease can even adversely affect the ability to breathe, swallow, walk and talk. These problems are devastating and socially disabling, causing severe physical, mental, social and emotional suffering.
How is Tardive Dyskinesia treated?
What's most concerning about Tardive Dyskinesia is that once it has been contracted, symptoms often get worse over time and/or remain permanent. If you or a loved one is experincing symptoms of TD, and are currently taking Reglan, you should lower or or even discontinue your dosage if possible.
For users of Reglan suffering from any level of Tardive Dyskinesia, contact the experienced lawyers of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz to help map our your legal course of action, and look to get you a cash settlement. Call 1-800-223-8897 or contact us by filling out our online form.
While DGM&S, L.P.A. will maintain responsibility, certain cases may also be referred to other attorneys with particular expertise. Licensed to practice in OH, IN, KY, PA, CA; not available in all states.