Patients Using Reglan Over Long Period Or At High Doses At Risk
With the public announcement of a series of detrimental metoclopramide side effects, many consumers have wondered if they are eligible to participate in any current or pending metoclopramide lawsuits. After the FDA’s ruling, requiring a “black box” warning on the drug commonly known as Reglan, a variety of medical issues linked to its main ingredients have surfaced. Consulting a lawyer is the first step in determining whether or not legal action is necessary. The bulk of consumers involved in metoclopramide lawsuits were prescribed the drug for treatment of various gastrointestinal issues stemming from chronic diseases including diabetic gastric stasis, severe acid reflux disease, and gastroparesis. It was also prescribed to patients experiencing nausea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including pregnant and lactating women. Women struggling with milk production took the drug in order to stimulate milk production during lactation due to the fact that it stimulates the production of the hormone prolactin. It was also given to women seeking to breast-feed adopted children. Considered generally safe, doctors often prescribed Reglan to patients for long periods of time in high doses, which increases risks of adverse effects. Those who have suffered harm have taken the medicine in different forms, including tablets, disintegrating tables, oral solutions, and injections. The FDA has estimated that over 2 million people used the drug. Of all the related complications, tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder, is the most severe and has led to the most high profile legal actions. The disease is named as such because its symptoms are often delayed long after use of the drug and can strike after some believe risk has passed. Risk factors for the disease include prolonged use of the medicine, age, and gender - older women appear to have the most serious reactions. TD has a variety of symptoms, many of which are mistaken for mental psychosis. The disease generally exhibits: • Repetitive, involuntary movements of the arms and legs
• Lip smacking and other mouth and lip movements
• Rapid blinking
• Diminished movement of the fingers These movements are entirely uncontrolled by the patients, and while they can sometimes be mitigated with various treatments, the effects are often irreversible. People must often change their entire lives to accommodate the disease, which makes even the simplest tasks nearly impossible. Since many of the side effects affect the face and body, it is difficult for those with the syndrome to function in society as they once did. The mental and emotional toll is difficult indeed. Other side effects cited in metoclopramide lawsuits include Akathisia, Dystonia, blepharospasm, Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. It is important to distinguish between TD and other associated diseases. If you or a loved one would like to determine if you are eligible to participate in litigation it is important that you first seek medical help for your case. If the illness is positively diagnosed by a doctor and linked directly to the use of Reglan, you may be eligible to participate in a product liability lawsuit or class action lawsuit. After legal action, you may be able to receive compensation for expenses as well as pain and suffering.
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