Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Three clinical trials seeking treatments for a neurological disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia are currently seeking volunteers. The studies – Efficacy of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Tardive Dyskinesia, Safety and Efficacy of Avastrem (Pryidoxal 5’ –Phosphate) in the Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia, and Aripiprazole for Neuroleptic-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia – are supported by ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the complete response from Salix Pharmaceuticals for its orally disintegrating tablet (ORT) form of metoclopramide called Metozolv, and says it has granted a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA), which authorizes the FDA to collect fees from companies that produce certain human drug and biological products, for September 11, 2009. Salix is seeking approval for its drug in the treatment of short-term therapy (4-12 weeks) for adults with symptomatic, documented gastroesophageal refulx (GERD or heartburn) who fail to respond to conventional therapy, and for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach).

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Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occur when the lower esophageal sphincter opens spontaneously or does not close properly, allowing stomach contents to rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, and when it occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth and may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat.

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Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that affects people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It is caused when the vagus nerve to the stomach becomes damaged or stops working. When not working properly, this nerve is unable to send a message to the muscles that move food through the digestive tract, and food is either slowed or stopped in the process.

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Are little Jessica’s sudden head jerks a side effect of the heartburn drug Reglan? It’s a question posed along with a video of the toddler by Fiestagrill on YouTube.

Reglan, also known as metoclopramide, is generally prescribed to treat diabetic gastroparesis in adults and gastroesophafeal reflux in adults and children. Recent clinical studies have shown that it is safe for the treatment of morning sickness in women who are pregnant. However, a recent FDA warning has made people like Fiestagrill question whether the medication is causing serious injury to babies as well as children.

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A medication commonly prescribed to treat heartburn and slow gastric emptying in people with diabetes is showing promising results in treating the symptoms of morning sickness in women in early pregnancy without risk of harming the unborn child, according to the Associated Press. However, the medication may carry risks for mothers if used long-term.

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Kecia Neal of Arkansas was prescribed Reglan in 2005 to help her overcome a medical condition that involved the paralysis of stomach muscles. What she didn’t expect is for the medication to make her even sicker.

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