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.

Reglan works because it stimulates gastrointestinal muscles, causing more rapid movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract. It is used in the treatment of patients with severe acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, serious cases of heartburn, and other conditions in which it is difficult for a patient to keep food down, such as if he or she is undergoing chemotherapy. It is usually very effective for patients suffering from any of these conditions and has made a difference in many treatments.

However, as more and more evidence links Reglan to serious conditions such as tardive dyskinesia, patients are beginning to look for alternative treatments. In many cases, Reglan was used for longer than 12 weeks, a practice not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Use for 12 weeks or longer can put the patient at a greater risk for neurological side effects such as Reglan induced tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, blepharospasm, ocular deviation, and akathisia.


Tardive dyskinesia is perhaps the most common Reglan side effect. It manifests in patients with symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements or facial spasms, is very similar to Parkinson’s disease, and can progress to full-body tremors. Although once Reglan is no longer being taken the patient’s symptoms will not likely progress any further, the symptoms that have already manifested are often permanent.


There are currently over 1,000 Reglan lawsuits involved in consolidated litigation in a court in Ohio. Pretrial processes for this litigation are now taking place.