Known generically as metoclopramide, Reglan is an injectable medication first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999 to treat the slow emptying of the stomach associated with diabetes and the nausea related to chemotherapy. Reglan may also be prescribed to treat migraines or to help patients empty the contents of their stomachs before undergoing surgery. Reglan is produced by Schwartz Pharma, and it may appear under other brand names which include, Degan (by Lek), Maxeran (by Sanofi Aventis), and Pylomid (by Bosnalijek).
Reglan Side Effects
Reglan can cause some serious side effects, which include depression, hypertension, arrhythmia, and dangerously low levels of potassium in the blood. One particularly serious Reglan side effect is that the drug may cause a severe neurological condition known as tardive dyskinesia (TD).
Reports of such serious Reglan side effects led the FDA to mandate that Schwartz Pharma include a black box warning on all Reglan packaging and advertising in February 2009. The black box warning alerted consumers to the serious possible side effects associated with Reglan use while also pointing out that women, as well as patients who have a history of taking higher doses or taking the drug for longer periods of time, have the highest risk of developing severe Reglan side effects.
Reglan and Tardive Dyskinesia
Difficult to treat, tardive dyskinesia is marked by uncontrollable, repetitive twitches, grimacing, lip puckering, eye blinking and other movements that lack any purpose. Although tardive dyskinesia is frequently misdiagnosed as a mental conditions, such as Down syndrome or autism, it is, in fact, a neurological movement disorder that makes it nearly impossible for a patient to stand completely still.
Reglan is responsible for causing cases of tardive dyskinesia more often than any other medication. While some cases of tardive dyskinesia will develop when patients lower their doses of Reglan, others may arise well after the patient has stopped taking Reglan altogether.
Reglan Lawsuits & Class Action Cases
Those who develop serious Reglan side effects will have a compelling defective drug claim against Schwartz Pharma, and they can secure compensation for their medical bills, diminished quality of life, pain, and suffering by consulting with a skilled Reglan attorney and getting a Reglan lawsuit started or join an existing Reglan class action.
If you or a loved one used Reglan and suffered from any side effect including NMS, agramulocytosis, hyperaldosteronism, depression, or tardive dyskinesia you should contact a defective drug attorney immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
