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.
The disease can also effect the patient’s limbs, limiting their mobility and motor function. Other conditions that are associated with Reglan include blepharospasm, akathisia, ocular deviation, and secondary Parkinsons. These are all similar neurological movement disorders that manifest with involuntary twitches, spasms, and tics that a patient cannot help. They are all permanent, although some patients have seen that their disease stops progressing or getting worse when they cease to use Reglan. The side effects that have already manifested are usually there for life.

Patients with any of these conditions can see a diminished quality of life in many areas. Social interactions may be limited because the muscle spasms may appear grotesque or rude. Employment may become impossible, and mobility is often limited when the arms and legs begin to be affected. Even spouses of the injured victims suffer, losing companionship, services, and other things that being in a relationship entails. This is all dwarfed by the financial cost of dealing with such a side effect. 

This is why a number of patients have decided to file Reglan lawsuits—they are looking to gain compensation for their side effects. Compensatory, exemplary, and punitive damages are being demanded.