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.