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.

Evidence shows that Reglan can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, a serious and often irreversible movement disorder. Infants who are given Reglan appear to be at an even greater risk for this serious drug side effect. Infants suffering from gastro esophageal reflux (GER) can result in regurgitation and other more serious symptoms including poor weight gain, marked irritability, respiratory complications, and other serious symptoms. When GER develops, parents are naturally concerned and often bring their child to the doctor. There are certain conservative treatments that are to be used before prescribing medications. Should these treatments prove ineffective, a doctor is likely to prescribe a prokinetic agent like Reglan.

Studies have shown, and the FDA has confirmed, that the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia is greater for children, including infants, than for adults taking Reglan. However, adults using Reglan are also at extremely high risk for developing Reglan side effects as well, such as tardive dyskinesia. While tardive dyskinesia can afflict anyone taking Reglan, children are more susceptible to the side effects of Reglan. Many of the side effects associated with tardive dyskinesia include: nervous movement of any of the facial muscles, hip gyration, rapid heartbeat, tremulousness, biting of tongue, drooling, slurred speech and protrusion of the tongue from the mouth. Although some of these symptoms may dissapear after one stops taking Reglan, in many cases the the symptoms may not be reversible. Those suffering form the detrimental effects of Reglan are advised to consult a Reglan lawyer as soon as possible.