Especially At Risk Are Older Women Taking Reglan Over An Extended Period
Following the FDA’s requirement that black box labels appear on all drugs containing metoclopramide, including Reglan, law firm resources across the country have been focused on helping thousands of individuals receive compensation for damages. Patients using the drugs reported a variety of illnesses, many with serious and irreversible consequences. The two most commonly leading to metoclopramide lawsuits are tardive dyskinesia (TD) and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The victims of these devastating conditions and their loved ones often seek the assistance of a Reglan law firm to establish their case in court. In order to determine if individuals are eligible for compensation, and perhaps a class action lawsuit, it is important that they undergo extensive evaluation. A lawyer will work with doctors and patients to ensure that the side effects exhibited, and that the treatment received, is congruent to a pending or past Reglan claim. The majority of these victims were prescribed the drug for various gastrointestinal problems, some of which are chronic diseases. These include severe reflux, gastroparesis, and diabetic gastric stasis. Until the FDA’s ruling, most people were unaware of the risks involved with taking the medicine, and because TD may exhibit symptoms weeks, months, and even years after first taking the drug, many patients have been slow to see out legal assistance. According to Janet Woodcock, the director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, "The chronic use of metoclopramide therapy should be avoided in all but rare cases where the benefit is believed to outweigh the risk.” Older women appear to be at increased risk of developing TD, as well as those with pre-existing conditions such as: • Diabetes
• Psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Organic brain atrophy/dysfunction
• Genetic predisposition The primary symptoms of TD are: • Repetitive, involuntary movements of the arms and legs
• Lip smacking and other mouth and lip movements
• Rapid blinking
• Diminished movement of the fingers Early stages of the disease most often impact the muscles in the face, causing cheek puffing, facial ticks, eyebrow distortion, and frequent movement of the jaw. For those suffering these symptoms, the social ramifications can be extremely difficult, making day-to-day functioning nearly impossible. Treatment consists of stopping use of the problematic neuroleptic immediately. Some individuals are able to use atypical neuroleptics such as pimozide, clonidine, and haloperidol. Unfortunately for some, even with medical treatment, the involuntary movement disorder is irreversible. It has been estimated that as many as 10 to 30% of people using metoclopramide develop TD. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is another troubling potential consequence of the drug. This disease has a far quicker progression, and initially starts with a high fever and leads to irregular blood pressure, marked agitation, cognitive problems, delirium, and coma. If any of these symptoms are exhibited it is essential that patients seek a doctor for immediate evaluation to prevent fatality. As with TD, treatment may consist of first eliminating the offending medicine and using benzodiazepines - muscle relaxants - and bromocriptine, apomorphine, and dantrolene sodium to aid with circulation and ventilation.
|