Long Term Use of Reglan Leads to Rising Number of Lawsuits

Use of the gastrointestinal drug Reglan, and other generic drugs containing Metoclopramide, can cause a disabling neurological syndrome known as Reglan tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary and repetitive movements that can be permanent. These Reglan neurological problems are devastating and socially disabling, causing severe physical, mental, social and emotional suffering. In February 2009, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) mandated that the makers of Reglan add a black box warning to its label regarding the risk of tardive dyskinesia associated with chronic, long-term use. The FDA’s mandate followed the publication of analyses that suggested that Reglan is the most common cause of drug-induced movement disorders. 

To prevent tardive dyskinesia and other Reglan side effects, the drug should not be taken for more than 12 months, and it has not been approved for longer user. However, it has become

Reglan Settlements Possible Over Neurological Movement Disorders

Reglan is a relatively harmless drug when it is taken for a brief period of time. It is used to treat gastrointestinal conditions that make it difficult to digest food or keep food down, and can help people with certain types of diabetes and even morning sickness from pregnancy. If a patient takes the medication for twelve weeks or less, there is a relatively low rate of Reglan side effects experienced by the patient. However, almost one in three Reglan patients take the medication for much longer than twelve weeks—and these patients are much more likely to suffer from debilitating and painful side effects.

Reglan side effects usually involve Reglan neurological problems, the most common of which is tardive dyskinesia. The symptoms of Reglan tardive dyskinesia include, but are not limited to, spasms and tics of the facial area, which are involuntary. Lip puckering, protrusions of the tongue, and rapid eye blinking are telltale signs of tardive dyskinesia.

Reglan Lawsuits Over Tardive Dyskinesia

Lawsuit filed against Reglan by Reglan lawyer. There are more than 2 million American patients still using the controversial gastrointestinal drug Reglan, which contains a chemical discovered in the 1960s but was shelved in a backseat position after a competing drug was discovered in the 1990s. After that drug, Cisapride, was discontinued because it was linked to cardiac arrhythmia, Reglan was pushed to the forefront once again. Now the drug is in the media for another time, because of Reglan side effects in children —namely, tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that affects the muscles in the face and limbs.

Reglan neurological problems: Patients with tardive dyskinesia often will not be able to find a treatment because there is no confirmed treatment or cure for the condition.

Generic Reglan Lawsuits In Question While Brand Name Lawsuits Still In Court

In a devastating opinion for consumers, the Supreme Court has ruled that generic drug companies cannot be held liable for failing to warn about known side effects of medications they sell, so long as their labels are identical to those of the original brand-name product.  The ruling may have an impact on thousands of generic drug lawsuits filed throughout the United States, involving problems with generic versions of drugs like Reglan, Accutane, Darvocet, Zocor and others. In the recent Reglan lawsuit brought to trial,  the 5-4 decision in Pliva Inc. v. Mensing was handed down by the Supreme Court today, split along ideological lines among the justices.

The case before the court, Pliva Inc. v. Mensing, involved metoclopramide, which is sold under the brand name Reglan. Reglan was approved in 1980 as a treatment for digestive track problems. Two women had sued Croatia-based Pliva Inc. and other generic drug manufacturers for failing to provide warnings about Reglan tardive dyskinesia. Reglan did

Metoclopramide and Reglan Lead to Most Common Drug-Induced Movement Disorders

Although Reglan is marketed for treatment of conditions that are often chronic and long-term problems, the medication is only approved for use of less than 12 weeks, however many patients experience long term side effects of Reglan.  Since there is little benefit in treating a long term condition with a short-term treatment, many doctors continue their patients on the medications for more than three months.  In fact, about 30% of all prescribed metoclopramide drugs are taken for more than 12 months. Long-term or high dose use of Reglan, as well as other drugs containing dopamine antagonists like metoclopramide, substantially increase the risk of Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia.

The term "Tardive Dyskinesia" was first introduced in 1964, referring to repetitive, involuntary and purposeless movements.  The condition

Canada Raises Warning For Tardive Dyskinesia Risk With Reglan

Canadian health officials are requiring stronger warnings about the risk of movement disorders as side effects of Reglan, which is sold as generic metoclopramide. Reglan (metaclopramide) is designed for short-term treatment of gastrointestinal disorders like diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesphageal reflux (GERD) and delayed gastric emptying. However, it is often prescribed for longer periods of time due to the often chronic persistence of those ailments, which has left many users with the movement disorder. Reglan side effects have been linked to a risk of Tardive Dyskinesia, a permanent and disabling condition which causes repetitive, involuntary and purposeless movements, such as: grimacing, puckerinig or pursing of the lips, tongue protrusion or lip smacking, rapid eye movements and blinking and uncontrolled Movements of the Extremities and Fingers.

The new metoclopramide warnings were announced by Health Canada on July 20, providing additional information about the link between long-term use of Reglan and an increased risk of tardive dyskinesia, stating that “Tardive dyskinesia may develop in patients treated with metoclopramide. The elderly, especially elderly women, appear to be at increased risk. The risk appears to increase with treatment length and the total amount of drug taken. Reglan tardive dyskinesia is more likely to

Reglan Lawsuits Not to be Combined

Although Reglan lawyers have been pushing for consolidated Reglan litigation recently, the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation has shot down the idea, claiming that since Reglan litigation has been going on for about twenty years, many of the discoveries that would usually be left to the multidistrict litigation discovery process have already been made in earlier cases.

Reglan Lawsuit Settlements Depend on History, Other Medications

Many former users of the gastrointestinal drug Reglan are now suffering from one of the pharmaceutical industry’s most damaging and lasting side effects of Reglan – tardive dyskinesia. The neurological movement disorder is brought on by drugs like metoclopramide and manifests with symptoms including uncontrollable movements of muscles in the face and limbs. There is no known treatment or cure for tardive dyskinesia.

Long Term Use of Reglan Leads To Serious Complications

Classified as a dopamine antagonist and developed in the 1950s to treat psychiatric patients, Reglan is now used to help increase the muscle contractions in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Stronger muscle contractions help to increase the speed the stomach empties into the small intestine. Reglan, generically known as metoclopramide, is a drug commonly prescribed to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, persistent heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and a feeling of stomach fullness. Reglan works by increasing pressure at the point where the esophagus connects to the stomach through muscle contractions and helps the stomach deliver food faster into the intestines to complete the digestive process. It is prescribed for both children and adults. Evidence shows that extended use of Reglan can potentially cause the serious neurological syndrome, Reglan induced Tardive Dyskinesia.

Permanent Tardive Dyskinesia Induced By Reglan

Tardive dyskinesia, a permanent neurological disorder characterized by involuntary facial movements caused by the contracting of facial muscles, has been decisively linked to gastrointestinal drug Reglan, causing almost a hundred users to file a Reglan lawsuit against the company responsible in order to hopefully collect a settlement that can pay for the high cost of living with a permanent disorder or one of the other side effects of the drug.
Reglan works to aid digestion by stimulating the muscles in the stomach and intestine to contract in order to move food more quickly through the digestive system. However, its power to make muscles contract seems to have the tendency to spread to areas of the body where it is not necessarily wanted. Side effects that are normal with Reglan and do not indicate a problem include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and lethargy. 

Reglan Alternatives Don’t Work For Many

Many patients who have either experienced or been warned of the serious and permanent side effects of Reglan are looking for an alternative to the product – however, it is not easy. Many patients tried a number of other products, such as prescription drugs Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium, and over-the-counter treatments such as Pepcid or Zantac. In many cases, these drugs were simply not as effective as Reglan, or metoclopramide.

FDA Warns of Serious Side Effects For Reglan

On February 26, 2009 the Food and Drug Administration announced that manufacturers of metoclopramide, a drug used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, must add a black boxed warning about the risk of long-term or high-dose use. Reglan has recently been linked to tardive dyskinesia, a condition which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs is no longer taken.  In June of 2009, it was ruled that Reglan lawsuits would not be consolidated into a Multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Children on Reglan at Great Risk for Dyskinesia

In May 2009, the plaintiffs in the currently filed Reglan lawsuits sought to consolidate their claims through Multidistrict Litigation (MDL); however, the MDL panel issued an order denying the request.  This denial of a Reglan MDL means that any Reglan lawsuits must proceed as individual lawsuits, which will not be formally coordinated. This ruling does not impact potential claimants’ ability to pursue compensation against the manufacturers of metoclopramide drugs for failing to warn about the serious and debilitating Reglan side effects.

Reglan Found to Cause Irreversible Tardive Dyskinesia

The first Reglan lawsuit involving tardive dyskinesia was filed more than 20 years ago, and more than 70 cases have been filed in state and federal courts throughout the United States since then. In February of 2009, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation considered a petition to centralize and consolidate 11 currently pending Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuits before one judge for pretrial litigation to avoid duplicate discovery, inconsistent rulings and serve the convenience of the parties, attorneys and witnesses. Potential cases are still being reviewed by Reglan lawyers and individual lawsuits will proceed in various courts throughout the United States. In June of 2009, it was decided that lawsuits would not progress into a Multidistrict Litigation.

Plaintiffs in Reglan Litigation Number in Thousands

Over one thousand plaintiffs are now involved in a lawsuit against Wyeth, Schwarz Pharma, Teva Pharmaceuticals and PLIVA Inc., manufacturers of both brand-name and generic forms of Reglan. The drug, prescribed for gastrointestinal complaints in patients with diabetes, undergoing chemotherapy, or with other conditions that can inhibit digestion. Reglan is also used to treat gastroparesis and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Reglan Lawsuit Turns Into Supreme Court Case

In a situation almost unheard of in personal injury cases, a recent Reglan lawsuit is being heard by the United States Supreme Court and could make drastic changes to laws surrounding the pharmaceutical industry. Pliva Inc. v. Mensing is being heard by the court after a woman began experiencing serious side effects associated with a generic version of the gastrointestinal drug Reglan.
The plaintiff, Gladys Mensing, began taking Reglan in 2001 to treat heartburn and acid reflux, but after four years of using the drug developed Reglan-related tardive dyskinesia, which has been linked to Reglan (generic name metoclopramide). The risk for the condition was well established, and both the makers of brand name Reglan and generic forms of metoclopramide had a responsibility to patients to warn them of potential risks.

Reglan Lawsuit in Louisiana Turns Into Supreme Court Issue

A lawsuit against the gastrointestinal drug Reglan is currently being heard by the United States’ Supreme Court after many patients have complained of severe, disabling, and permanent side effects of the medication. Gladys Mensing was the first plaintiff associated with the case, and her name is widely mentioned. Julie deMahy is talked about less often in association with the case, but her lawsuit too has been consolidated with the Pliva Inc. v. Mensing Supreme Court case. Both plaintiffs developed tardive dyskinesia after extended use of Reglan, generic name metoclopramide.

Reglan Side Effects Breed Lawsuits

It has been more than a decade since the first reports linking metoclopramide products such as Reglan to tardive dyskinesia, which is a permanent and debilitating neurological disorder, surfaced. Many patients are still waiting for answers – and payouts. Although there is no cure for tardive dyskinesia, some relief may be found in a settlement that can help to chip away at medical and legal costs, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the movement disorder and other neurological Reglan side effects.
Reglan lawsuits, unlike many other drug lawsuits throughout history, were never consolidated into multidistrict litigation or class action lawsuits, and therefore there are no available records of settlement amounts or damages awarded by juries – meaning plaintiffs who have not yet received compensation can only speculate at the kind of money they are likely to receive. Some legal experts believe that a conservative estimate for a Reglan settlement would be a hundred thousand dollars – and some plaintiffs might stand to take home millions.
A Reglan patient’s settlement amounts hinge on the severity of the Reglan side effects he or she has experienced – a more severe side effect will mean a greater payout because of the increased likelihood for high medical bills, disrupted quality of life, and other issues that many juries will take into account. Side effects besides tardive dyskinesia, such as blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, akathisia, and ocular deviation are also being discussed in Reglan lawsuits and will likely result in settlements with plaintiffs.
The good news for patients is that Reglan side effects will not usually worsen after use of the product is discontinued, but the side effects that have already manifested will likely stick with the patient for life. In some cases, side effects can be controlled with drugs – but these drugs can come with side effects of their own.

Patients Wonder Who Can File Reglan Lawsuit

Patients who were prescribed Reglan or the generic form metoclopramide, which was introduced in the 1980s, and have since developed symptoms of tardive dyskinesia or other neurological movement disorders associated with the medication may be eligible to file a lawsuit in order to gain compensation for their suffering, medical costs, and lost wages, among other expenses. Potential plaintiffs who believe they may have a case should consult a lawyer, in particular one with experience regarding Reglan cases. A lawyer will help a plaintiff determine whether or not he or she has a case.
Reglan is a drug that can assist with gastrointestinal conditions, especially ones associated with diabetes and cancer treatments. Potential plaintiffs looking for a successful lawsuit must define and identify important Reglan side effects, especially in the case of tardive dyskinesia associated with the medication. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder associated with Reglan, which is incurable and comes with extreme costs – not only financial, but social and emotional as well.
Characteristics of tardive dyskinesia include involuntary muscle movements in the face and limbs, uncontrollable lip smacking, protruding of the tongue, blinking or bulging of the eyes, head jerking, lip pursing or puckering, finger movement, grimacing, and extreme pain in the hands. Tardive dyskinesia can cause embarrassment, discomfort in the workplace – including an inability to perform in a workplace environment – and physical and emotional pain. People who fear they my be experiencing these symptoms after having taken Reglan should speak to a lawyer to determine their eligibility to file suit.
Since there is no cure for tardive dyskinesia, compensation won in a Reglan lawsuit will not cure a patient of the condition. However, the settlement won would ease some of the financial burden on the patient and help them deal with the rest of their lives with the disease.

Reglan Litigation Moving Forward

Reglan, a popular gastrointestinal drug, has been a source of controversy for many years as more and more patients have been reporting serious side effects from the drug. It has been linked to conditions such as tardive dyskinesia and other neurological movement disorders, but the most serious associated side effect is Reglan neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Although it has only been observed in a small number of patients, its connection to Reglan is significant and the disease itself is distressing and painful.
Basic symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome are hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, and autonomic instability. These symptoms are also the symptoms of a panic attack, leading some patients to believe that this is all that is wrong with them. However, in a more serious form, it can cause pneumonia, seizures, arrhythmia, respiratory failure, and renal failure – and can be fatal if not detected or treated in time. Several patients have died from the condition and medical attention is needed.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is linked to drugs that have dopamine D2 receptor antagonist properties, often found in antipsychotic medications. However, Reglan – while not an antipsychotic – also contains a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. This particular form has been known for decades to have the potential to cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Those who have been properly treated for the syndrome can be cured of it, but in about 5 to 11 percent of cases the condition is fatal. It was first discovered among psychiatric patients taking antipsychotics, and has been known about since the 1960s. However, there seems to be little that medical professionals are doing to combat the possibility that Reglan might cause this potentially fatal condition, putting patients at risk. The syndrome works quickly, making it imperative that Reglan patients who suspect they may have it should get medical assistance as quickly as possible and to get legal help from a Reglan lawyer.

Reglan Neurological Side Effects: Permanent and Painful

Tardive dyskinesia is a permanent movement-related neurological disorder that causes various muscle spasms throughout the body, resulting in awkward, uncontrollable, and sometimes grotesque unintentional movements of the face, neck, and extremities. Not only is this physically painful and uncomfortable, the emotional pain and embarrassment that comes with such an obvious and uncontrollable condition is almost equal to the physical pain it provides.
Tardive dyskinesia is also a relatively common side effect of the digestion aiding prescription drug Reglan. Reglan works by targeting specific dopamine receptors, which means that when it is taken in high doses or over a long period of time, it can produce involuntary tics, or uncontrollable movements in the facial muscles, limbs, fingers, and toes. There are several kinds of neurological movement disorders linked to Reglan, including: cervical dystonia, which is a painful condition in which the patient has spasms in his or her neck muscles, causing the head to twist and be pulled down; orofacial dyskinesia, which is localized to facial movements; and blepharospasm or ocular deviation, which are ocular side effects that may even result in blindness due to a patient’s inability to open or close their eyes at will.
Although Reglan is still approved by the Food and Drug Administration for short-term use in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders where other treatments have not been effective, most victims of these serious Reglan side effects were taking high doses of the medication for extremely long periods of time. In other words, the longer a patient takes Reglan, the higher their chances are of developing tardive dyskinesia or another neurological movement disorder.
Around 250,000-400,000 people in the United States alone suffer from tardive dyskinesia or one of its variations. Unfortunately, no effective treatment has been developed for the disease – and there is, as of yet, no cure.

Reglan Compensation Considerations

When people file a lawsuit, they typically want to know how much money they can expect to receive in compensation. This number can be difficult to predict, as each case has unique features that can affect the final number.
But judges, juries, and defendants to tend to use the same types of factors when determining a reasonable reward amount. By examining previous cases of a similar nature, one can find instances where a defending drug company offered a significant settlement amount out of court, or instances of a jury awarding a plaintiff with a large sum in court. These analysis techniques can be used to estimate Reglan compensation also.
Reglan litigation is currently underway, new Reglan lawsuits are being filed across the country, and most of the Reglan lawsuit settlement amounts have not been decided yet. These lawsuits in most cases were filed in order to seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages due to injury caused by Reglan, and pain and suffering caused by Reglan side effects.

Reglan Side Effects Lead to Lawsuits

Reglan side effects include but are not limited to:

• Blepharospasm
• Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
• Tardive Dyskinesia
• Ocular Deviation
• Akathisia
• Cervical Dystonia
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

The FDA mandated a black box warning label for Reglan and all other drugs that include metoclopramide in February 2009. The reason for this mandate was to warn potential users of the serious risks involved when taking Reglan or a generic equivalent for extended periods. Reglan is often prescribed as a treatment for vomiting and nausea, but patients who take it are at risk of experiencing serious and possibly life-altering side effects.

Reglan Side Effects Costly

The impact of Reglan side effects on victims can be detected not only physically, but also socially, emotionally, and financially. Many who suffer from Reglan side effects are no longer able or willing to function in social and work settings, in some cases even withdrawing from family members. Some victims of Reglan side effects shut themselves off inside their homes, having become unwilling recluses because of their serious Reglan side effect symptoms. A great part of these symptoms have no known cure and will incur high costs over a lifetime for treatments such as rehabilitative therapy and speech therapy.
Many Reglan lawsuits assert that the makers of Reglan knew of these potentially devastating side effects but still neglected to communicate this vital information effectively to consumers and doctors. Reglan plaintiffs feel that the true risks were misrepresented on the drug’s warning label, and that even reports of serious Reglan side effects did not prompt the necessary investigation and risk assessment. Many now believe that by filing a Reglan lawsuit they will at last be able to hold the drugmaker responsible.

Highlights from Recent Reglan Settlements

• A jury recently awarded a Reglan lawsuit plaintiff with $6.7 million.
• A New England law firm shared information regarding a jury award of $1.6 million for a Reglan lawsuit they handled.
• The same New England law firm also shared information about out-of-court Reglan lawsuit settlements that were as low as $1.2 million and as high as $5.2 million.
• It is common for out-of-court settlements to hinge upon confidentiality agreements.
• Financial compensation depends on a variety of factors including the emotional, mental, and physical consequences from side effects, the severity and permanence of injuries suffered due to side effects, and any misdiagnoses that may have taken place.

Reglan Lawyers A Valuable Resource

The Food and Drug Administration placed a black-box warning on the prescription drug Reglan in 2009 in an attempt to warn consumers about the high risk of neurological movement disorders associated with the medication. Although this warning may help to prevent these serious side effects in the future by warning both consumers and doctors of the side effects of the drug, the warning comes too late for many who have already been affected by these disorders.
Reglan, a drug prescribed to treat acid reflux in nausea particularly in patients with chronic conditions such as cancer and diabetes, has been linked to several severe and incurable neurological disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, cervical dystonia, or blepharospasm. All of these conditions involve involuntary muscle movements in the patient, which can be grotesque, embarrassing, and awkward. A patient of one of these disorders may suffer from involuntary muscle movements that cause grimacing, head jerking, lip smacking or puckering, and moving fingers. There are no cures for these lifelong diseases.
As more and more side effects of Reglan become clear, lawsuits have been pouring in from across the country, filed by patients who are eligible to file formal complaints due to side effects suffered because of Reglan – patients who are eligible must prove that they have had a personal Reglan prescription, and that it was taken for at least three months. They must also have developed an uncontrollable muscle disorder associated with Reglan during or after their treatment with the medication. Patients who believe they are eligible should speak with a lawyer who will then consider whether or not to file a lawsuit on behalf of the patient. Patients who have suffered from the side effects of Reglan – or metoclopramide, the generic – may have no other way of recovering some form of compensation for their health issues.

Important Reglan Lawsuit Advice

Here is some important news regarding the Reglan Lawsuit: time is limited, you have to act soon! If you are having any thoughts at all about filing a Reglan lawsuit then you should know that there is a statue of limitations on the case that tells you how long you have to file a lawsuit. Without an experienced lawyer on your side, you might not file the case in time, and lose your chance to have your voice heard in court.
The Start Date
February 2009 was the first important date in the Reglan trials. During this month, the FDA announced that they were making it mandatory for Reglan and metoclopramide to display a “black box” warning on their packaging. This warning makes the side effects of the drug very clear. That was 2 years ago.
Now, two years later, states such as New Jersey, Texas, and California, are seeing over 70 Reglan lawsuits. However, the statue of limitations on filing a lawsuit against Reglan in these states is only 2 years. So is it too late to file a lawsuit?
Taking Everything Into Account
If you still haven’t filed a lawsuit against the makers of Reglan, it might not be too late, but you have to act soon. The statue of limitations doesn’t begin until you, the victim, realizes that something is wrong. That means that you have 2 years from the very first time that you noticed a side effect from taking Reglan. For example, if you began taking Reglan in 2008, but didn’t notice a problem until 2010, you now have until 2012 to file a lawsuit against Reglan.
Another important point is that in very important cases such as these, the courts will sometimes allow a late case to come in. This happens because the Judges want to serve the people more than anything, and they will do what they can to make sure justice is served.
However, this doesn’t mean that they will wait around forever. The judges also have a duty to protect the defendants in any case. So if you think that you have a case, you should act quickly and speak to an experienced lawyer.
Get an Evaluation
The take away is this: if you have any reason to believe that you have a case against Reglan, even if you are not sure, you should get a free case evaluation, and learn what your options are. Sometimes symptoms from Reglan side effects take years to show up, so keep your health in mind, and speak to a lawyer today.

Reglan Side Effects Create Black Box Warning, Lawsuits

Reglan Side Effects Create Black Box Warning, Lawsuits

In February 2009, the FDA mandated that the gastrointestinal drug Reglan (and generics that include metoclopramide) display the strongest advisory the agency is capable of assigning to a prescription drug: the “black box” warning.
The use of metoclopramide can result in a condition called tardive dyskinesia, a serious neurological disorder affecting the face and lower limbs. In some cases the disorder can be permanent. This warning label was issued more than two decades after the drug in question first became available, and millions of people have since been prescribed Reglan or a generic equivalent.

Ramping Up Reglan Lawsuits

It is expected that the Supreme Court will deliver a major decision affecting the liability of generic manufacturers of this drug, most likely in June of 2011. The issue of whether or not the maker of a generic version of a drug may be held accountable for omitting a warning label that was never included on the original drug is one which has troubled state and federal courts for many years.
Currently, there are hundreds of Reglan lawsuits pending in several states. Plaintiffs of these lawsuits claim that they were never sufficiently warned about the severity of the side effects associated with metoclopramide.
Reglan was debuted by Wyeth (now a Pfizer subsidiary) in 1989. Schwarz Pharma acquired the rights to the drug in 2001, and only the generic metoclopramide form has been available since 2008.
Reglan, as well as its generic versions, was commonly prescribed as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders such as diabetic gastroparesis or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Metoclopramide works as an antiemetic, or a drug that prevents vomiting. It also serves as a gastroprokinetic agent, which means that it helps users keep food down and also aids digestion.

Reasons for the Reglan Black Box

In 2009, when the FDA determined that all medicines containing metoclopramide must carry a black box warning, the agency cited two distinct studies which clearly illustrate the drug’s serious risk to users. More than 2 million Americans were taking metoclopramide as of February 2009.
One study found that metroclopramide was the primary cause of drug-induced movement disorders. Tardive dyskinesia belongs to this class of neurological disorders. A separate study found that a crucial portion of those taking metoclopramide had been instructed to continue taking the drug beyond the recommended maximum time of 3 months. This overconsumption seriously increased their risk of developing tardive dyskinesia.
Tardive dyskinesia, in plain language, means “delayed abnormal movement.” This disorder was first discovered more than 50 years ago, and is noted most often in psychiatric patients with a years-long history of taking antipsychotic medications. The most frequently reported symptoms are tongue thrusting, repetitive chewing, jaw swinging, and facial grimacing, according to Google Health.

Reglan Lawsuit Statute of Limitations

Although victims of severe and permanent Reglan side effects such as tardive dyskinesia may still have time to file lawsuits against the company responsible for the product, time may be running out. Most states have statues of limitations that last 2-5 years, meaning that a plaintiff must file suit against the company soon after he or she begins to experience side effects of the drug. Fortunately, the statue of limitations does not begin until the side effects are first manifest, not when the patient begins to take the drug. Even so, time runs out quickly.
Reglan, a drug made to speed digestion, contains the active ingredient metoclopramide. It, and other metoclopramide products, were given a “black box” warning by the Food and Drug Administration in February of 2009 in order to warn consumers of the high risk of tardive dyskinesia associated with the drug. Tardive dyskinesia is a permanent neurological disorder that manifests in the involuntary movement of facial muscles. This can severely diminish the quality of life in an individual, and it is understandable why victims feel the desire to file Regan lawsuits in order to collect some form of compensation for their suffering.
However, since the black box warning was given two years ago, some victims may have a harder time filing lawsuits in states such as California, New Jersey, and Texas – these states have a two-year statue of limitations. This does not mean that it will be impossible – it is possible, in certain cases, to get an extension on the statue of limitations in order for the plaintiff to try to be compensated for his or her suffering. Even so, people who have suffered from any of the side effects of Reglan and wish to file a lawsuit should do so as soon as possible in order to avoid complications later on in the process.

Reglan Ruins Yet Another Life

The latest victim in the Reglan side effect story has been claimed. After 27 years of taking Reglan, Francis Davis from New York recently learned that taking Reglan for extended periods of time causes Tardive Dyskinesia. This information comes 27 years too late for Francis, and is a shame because he was only taking the medicine to help his stomach ulcers (bleeding inside the stomach).
Why is this such terrible news for Francis Davis? After over 25 years of using a drug that the FDA says a patient should not use for more than just 3 months, Davis has developed Tardive Dyskinesia. He suffers from excruciatingly painful spasms and cramps. He also has uncontrollable twitching all around his body. There is no cure for his condition. His life is over.

Why is His Life Over?

If someone has Tardive Dyskinesia, their life is ruined. The disease causes uncontrollable facial and hand movements, which make it impossible for someone to function normally in public. It makes having a job next to impossible, especially if any amount of precision is involved.
What’s more is that the nature of this disease and the damage it does to someone’s life means that it causes severe depression as well. The depression caused by Tardive Dyskinesia may be worse than the actual disease itself.

How Did Reglan Start?

Reglan, aka metoclopramide, was first made in the 1960s. It has been available stateside since the early 1980s and is used to treat many symptoms. It can relieve Ulcers, like was the case with Davis, and it can even help with headaches and nausea. The drug is even given to animals.

FDA Warns of Life Ruining Drug

According to the FDA, the maximum amount of time that is considered safe for Reglan is 3 months. However, according to data, over 20% of people that take Reglan do so for over 3 months at a time. These people are greatly increasing their risk for developing Tardive Dyskinesia.

Kellog v. Wyeth: A Groudbreaking Lawsuit

Vermont resident Ethel Kellog was first prescribed metoclopramide, under the prescription drug name Reglan, in 2000 as a remedy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). She continued to consume the medication for four straight years, at which point the severe side effects produced by Reglan overshadowed the symptoms from her gastrointestinal disease.
Kellog suffered uncontrollable movements in her limbs as well as facial grimacing and involuntary lip twisting and tongue thrashing. These are all symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, an incurable neurological condition that Kellog had developed, and a known side effect of the drug known as Reglan.
Kellog hired a Reglan lawyer in 2007, a full two years before the FDA mandated a “black box warning” for the medication. She filed a lawsuit against drugmaker Wyeth as well as other manufacturers of generic versions of metoclopramide.
In that lawsuit, Kellog alleged that Wyeth and other companies did with full knowledge include misleading information on the Reglan warning label. She asserted that the manufacturers led users to believe that the side effects were less serious than they are known to be. Specifically, the label warned only of side effects that come from short-term consumption of the drug, even though their own research had found that the medicine was frequently prescribed for long-term use.
In addition, her Reglan lawsuit alleged that metoclopramide is not just “believed” to increase the odds of developing tardive dyskinesia the longer it is taken. Scientific studies support a direct correlation between increased exposure to Reglan and increased risk of succumbing to the irreversible neurological disorder. The label failed to clearly state this fact.
Of course, Wyeth and the other responsible companies argued against her claims. Wyeth asserted that federal regulations made it impossible for the company to alter the warning label after it had originally been approved by the FDA. Generic makers of metoclopramide said that current laws prevented them from making changes to the label first issued to the brand-name version of the drug.
Judge William K. Sessions III of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont issued a precedent-making decision when he ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Ethel Kellog. Included in his official decision was this statement he wrote:
“There is no evidence that FDA has ever brought, or threatened to bring, an enforcement action against (or otherwise sanctioned) a drug manufacturer who sought to strengthen or add a warning to its label. Likewise, there is no evidence that FDA has proposed to withdraw approval for a generic drug because its manufacturer sought to strengthen a label warning.”
An appeal request from the drug manufacturers was denied, an act which paved the way for further successful lawsuits against the makers of Reglan and generic forms of metoclopramide. At this time there are hundreds of Reglan lawsuits underway across the nation. Within a year, we may even see a Reglan class-action lawsuit emerge.

Settlement Amounts for Reglan Lawsuits

Reglan and its generic metoclopramide are medications used in the treatment of GERD, gastro esophageal reflux disease. Metoclopramide products have recently become controversial since several lawsuits have been filed against companies who produce such products because of side effects, some of which can be serious. Reglan works by increasing intestinal contractions in order to reduce the symptoms of GERD, and is also effective against nausea caused by anesthesia and certain chemotherapy treatments. However, it has recently been connected to such neurological side effects as tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, akathisia, ocular deviation, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These are conditions that largely involve involuntary movements and muscle spasms or contractions.
Because these side effects are so detrimental to everyday health and activity, and because they can effect not only children who have directly taken the drug but also children who indirectly ingest it through breast milk, multiple lawsuits have been filed against producers of Reglan and similar drugs in order to seek compensation for suffering induced by the medication. However, since none of these lawsuits have been seen all the way through to this day, it is impossible to predict what kind of settlement plaintiffs will receive if they file a similar lawsuit. It is, however, true that drug companies have been known to give out significant settlements in other cases of extremely detrimental side effects, such as in the case of Vioxx, whose manufacturer compensated victims and families of victims a total of $4.85 billion in order to somewhat appease their suffering and financial loss.
The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has recently decided not to create a Multidistrict Litigation lawsuit based on the Reglan cases, which is unfortunate because it would have allowed for a more streamlined trial process. However, many Reglan lawsuits are being filed against the makers of the drug regardless, and things may change as more and more victims of serious side effects step forward.

Reglan Lawsuits Filed Across the Nation

The severe neurological disorder known as Tardive Dyskenisia has been linked to the drug Reglan as well as its generic counterpart, metoclopramide. As more medical and scientific findings on this topic are made available to the public, greater numbers of lawsuits are being filed throughout the United States.

Reglan: a cure for acid reflux

Reglan works by increasing the speed of stomach and intestinal contractions, which can alleviate symptoms of Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Because of this, it has been promoted since its debut in the 1980s as a cure for acid reflux and other digestive ailments. Other prescribed uses include a remedy for nausea brought on by chemotherapy drugs or anesthesia. Reglan and its generic form metoclopramide have been prescribed to millions of patients across the nation as a treatment for these types of physical complaints.

Reglan side effect has no cure

In 2009, a direct link between Reglan and Tardive Dyskenisia was established. Immediately following those findings, the FDA mandated its strongest warning label, the “black box” warning, to advise both physicians and their patients of this serious and sometimes permanent side effect.
Tardive Dyskenisia is a neurological affliction which can cause a slew of related, uncontrollable physical symptoms. These may include repetitive and involuntary facial movements such as eye blinking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, chewing, as well as sudden leg, arm, or finger movements. This serious disorder does not have a known cure at this time, and it has been noted that its symptoms are likely to continue even after patients quit taking Reglan. The drug was approved only for treatment terms of up to three months, however patients have commonly been instructed to continue using it for longer periods, which notably increases the chances of Tardive Dyskenisia developing.

New Jersey lawsuits against Reglan growing

Currently there are at least 70 lawsuits filed in the state of New Jersey against Reglan. This number is expected to grow until February 2011, when the state statute of limitations for Reglan litigation will end. All of the aforementioned suits were filed for patients who were diagnosed with Tardive Dyskenisia or similar disorders involving uncontrollable body movements. Judge Carol Higbee in Atlantic County has been given control of all Reglan lawsuits in the state of New Jersey. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, one of the main defendants in the ongoing Reglan litigation, has its home in New Jersey. For this reason it is believed that many additional cases will be filed in that state.

Federal Reglan Cases Not Currently Eligible for Multi District Litigation

Despite the fact that rising numbers of Reglan lawsuits are being filed in federal courts, the United States Judicial Panel on multidistrict litigation has declined to consolidate these cases into a sole proceeding. Reasons given for this decision include the long history of Reglan lawsuits, as well as the fact that there are several different generic drug manufacturers involved. This ruling may change in the future, but for the time being all federal lawsuits will be processed in different courts, each with its own judge and scheduling orders.

Reglan: The Wonder Drug

When Reglan was first released, it was prescribed to patients who were experiencing symptoms such as acid reflux or nausea. For most of those patients, acid reflux and nausea are chronic conditions which take a long time to heal; but for some reason they were still prescribed Reglan, which is toxic if taken over 3 months straight. So it is truly a wonder that this drug was ever released. Some people who were unfortunate enough to take Reglan for over 3 months found out that it can lead to neurological side effects such as tardive dyskinesia.
Tardive Dyskinesia is a severe neurological movement disease that has been showing up in more and more reports involving Reglan. These reports are forcing patients and doctors to think a little deeper about Reglan. Tardive Dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary muscle movements such as facial grimacing, head jerking, pursing of lips, moving fingers, and more.
In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration finally decided to put a ‘black box warning’ on all packages of Reglan, This warning will help future users of the drug decide whether or not they want to continue with the medicine. While it is a good thing that this warning is being put out, it comes decades too late for some unfortunate patients who have been diagnosed with the side effects that Reglan comes with.

Taking Reglan to Court

Litigation against the makers of Reglan is a very new area in the legal court. If a patient wishes to file a claim against the makers of Reglan, there are certain things that an experienced lawyer would have to do.
Eligibility begins with the patient proving two things. First, the patients have to prove that they have a personal prescription of Reglan. The next thing they have to prove is that they took their prescription of Reglan for at least three months. If the patient developed side effects such as tardive dyskinesia, cervical dystonia, or blepharospasm during or after the drug was being taken, the lawyer will probably move forward with the case.
Other determining factors include whether or not Reglan was taken according to instructions, and whether or not there is any evidence from the company itself showing that they tried to warn the patient about the side effects of Reglan.
Claims against the makers of Reglan will also explore what kind of information the manufacturers knew about the side effects of the drug, and whether or not they did enough testing. Reglan is distributed by some of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the nation, and because of this, they should have no excuse.
If a victim of Reglan decides to take them to court, they will have no financial risk, since a lawyer will work under contingency. However, they will have much to gain, since Reglan settlements and jury verdicts in cases like these can be very large.

Reglan Victims File Lawsuits

Tardive dyskinesia, a permanent neurological disorder characterized by involuntary facial movements caused by the contracting of facial muscles, has been decisively linked to gastrointestinal drug Reglan, causing almost a hundred Reglan users to file suit against the company responsible in order to hopefully collect a settlement that can pay for the high cost of living with a permanent disorder or one of the other side effects of the drug.
Reglan works to aid digestion by stimulating the muscles in the stomach and intestine to contract in order to move food more quickly through the digestive system. However, its power to make muscles contract seems to have the tendency to spread to areas of the body where it is not necessarily wanted. Side effects that are normal with Reglan and do not indicate a problem include nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and lethargy. Symptoms of a Reglan allergic reaction, which can be serious and requires immediate medical attention, include rash, swelling of the mouth, and tightness in the chest. The most dangerous side effects of Reglan only happen to a small percentage of Reglan users, but they can be fatal. These include central nervous system disorders such as convulsive seizures and hallucinations, as well as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is characterized by hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, and autonomic instability – all of which are also symptoms of a panic attack, a much more common and non-fatal occurrence.
People who are seeking compensation in their lawsuits against Reglan are looking for a settlement that will help them pay for not only the money they have lost battling what could be a permanent affliction, but also reimburse them for their pain and suffering. Although it is not yet clear what kind of settlement plaintiffs should expect to receive, what is clear is that no one should put their life and comfort on the line just to take a certain medication.

Reglan in Your Children: Damaging Side Effects

Children and Reglan Side Effects

Prescription medicine Reglan (generic form metoclopramide) has been found to cause severe side effects, including tardive dyskinesia, yet doctors continue to prescribe it to children as well as to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Children Consume Reglan in Three Main Ways

1. Before it was given a “black box” warning label for its link to tardive dyskinesia, Reglan was prescribed freely to minors. Now, however, it is still used as a treatment in pediatric medicine for the common problem of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). It is also prescribed less often for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition it is used to alleviate vomiting and nausea brought on by surgery or chemotherapy.
2. Reglan is often prescribed to hasten gastric emptying for pregnant patients, who then have the potential to pass on the drug and its side effects to the unborn children they carry.
3. Breast milk can be a conduit for Reglan. There is not much conclusive research showing that infants often contract tardive dyskinesia via breast milk, however the American Academy of Pediatrics sees Reglan use by breastfeeding women to be a risky act. The irony here is that Reglan has been prescribed off-label for years for use as a breast milk stimulant in mothers who experience low milk supply.

Reglan’s Most At-Risk Users

The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia as a side effect of Reglan is simple to understand: the more Reglan one consumes, and the longer one consumes it, the greater the odds that tardive dyskinesia will appear. In particular, elderly patients and children exposed to Reglan are the most susceptible to developing this incurable disorder. The FDA-approved treatment period for Reglan is only 4-12 weeks, yet a recent FDA study found that 20 percent of people taking Reglan used it for much longer although they were following doctor’s orders. Some had even been prescribed Reglan for years of continuous use. This dangerous off-label consumption is one of the most serious allegations made by the hundreds of Reglan lawsuits underway in the US court system.

Recognizing Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia

Certain neuroleptic drugs can produce side effects that are classified as neurological disorders, and tardive dyskinesia is one such side effect. In the 1960s, physicians observing psychiatric patients on antipsychotic medications were the first to witness and describe tardive dyskinesia. Reglan is similar in chemical composition to those medications, and it also affects the central nervous system. Consuming Reglan beyond the approved treatment period and dosage can result in involuntary tics such as facial grimacing, and other symptoms that can be misinterpreted as signs of Tourrette’s syndrome. Tardive dyskinesia can be particularly easy to overlook when dealing with babies, since many of the signature symptoms (finger twitching, leg kicking, cheek puffing, chewing, mouth puckering) are easily confused with ordinary infant behavior.

Tardive dyskinesia is a chronic condition with no cure. If you have reason to believe that you or a child may be exhibiting signs of Reglan side effects, stop taking Reglan at once and consult your doctor.