Woman harmed by Reglan wants to know why she was never warned
May 21st, 2009 by Jennifer Walker-Journey
Laura Tennant wants answers. The former editor of the Leader-Courier was prescribed Reglan more than a year ago to treat a digestive disorder. Now she appears to be suffering from what she calls “permanent central nervous system damage.”
Laura received a letter late last month from her GI’s office notifying her that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had placed a “Black Box Warning” on Reglan because it carried a risk of a rare but Parkinson’s-like condition known as known as Tardive Dyskinesia. There is no treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia, and it is often irreversible even after the medication has been discontinued.
Shortly after being prescribed Reglan (metoclopramide), Laura’s health began to decline. Her tongue started moving out of control and she began smacking her lips. She didn’t immediately make the connection between her condition and Reglan. When she contacted her physician and said she was experiencing tremors, he ordered her to cut the Reglan in half.
“Why didn’t my gastroenterologist warn me? Why didn’t he give me a choice?” she asks.
Even though she has stopped taking the medication, she still suffers from uncontrolled movements of her tongue, which cause sores on her tongue, lesions in her mouth and inflamed gums. “It’s nerve wracking,” she says. Even more concerning is that her pregnant daughter was given a prescription for Reglan to treat morning sickness. “She told (her doctor) ‘No way,’ recalling what happened to me.”
Patients who have taken Reglan in the past or are currently taking Reglan are advised to contact their health care provider even if they have not experienced any side effects from the medication. Negative side effects should be reported to the FDA online at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Source: RGJ.com