Metoclopramide is a drug sold in the United States under the brand name Reglan, among others. People with a condition known as gastroparesis took Reglan to help food move through their digestive tract. Doctors also prescribed Reglan for treating heartburn, acid reflux, nausea and vomiting. In addition, some women took Reglan to stimulate lactation or treat migraine headaches.
Obviously, doctors prescribed Reglan for a wide array of uses. The result is that users may now be at risk for developing Tardive Dyskinesia, a neurological disorder resulting in involuntary and repetitive movements of the face, torso and limbs. The symptoms appear similar to Tourette’s syndrome.
Tardive Dyskinesia
Dyskinesia is the name for the involuntary muscle movements or the difficulty in performing voluntary muscle movements. Tardive means that the condition appears late. This means that symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia can develop long after someone has taken Reglan. The involuntary muscle movements associated with Tardive Dyskinesia have three classifications:
- Choreiform – rapid, jerky, non-repetitive movements
- Athetoid – slow, continual movements
- Rhythmic – excessive repetition
Reglan is the main contributing factor to Tardive Dyskinesia, but there are other factors that may increase Tardive Dyskinesia’s symptoms. Older patients, females, people with a history of substance abuse and a traumatic brain injury all increase the risk of symptoms. Recognizing Tardive Dyskinesia’s symptoms early is important, but some patients do not report the symptoms because they do not cause physical pain. Early detection is crucial in reducing the severity of Tardive Dyskinesia.
Tardive Dyskinesia can also manifest in feelings of embarrassment, depression, guilt and social withdrawal. The involuntary muscle movements draw unwanted attention and can negatively affect the sufferer. In addition, tongue ulcerations, denture problems and difficulty in swallowing can occur along with the muscle movements.
Prevention is the main treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia. Lowering the dosage of Regal, or stopping use all together is the best way to minimize risk. Today, 23 drug companies manufacture and market Reglan, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered them to include a warning on the packaging. Doctors prescribe Reglan to approximately two million Americans for various digestive orders.
Reglan is a dangerous drug and estimates are that Tardive Dyskinesia affects approximately 1 million people in the United States. If you are concerned about Reglan’s side effects, contact a drug attorney for a free consultation about possible legal recourse.