Hundreds of people who have been harmed by Reglan have already filed lawsuits against the manufacturers of the drug. Reglan is approved by the FDA to treat chronic heartburn and acid reflux as well as diabetic gastroparesis, or delayed emptying of the stomach contents. The agency placed a black box warning on the drug after numerous reports of people taking the drug developing a debilitating involuntary movement disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. The condition causes symptoms such as lip smacking, tongue thrusting, eye blinking and bulging, head jerking, facial grimacing, puckering and pursing of the lips, and involuntary movements of the fingers. In many cases, the symptoms do not go away even if the medication has been stopped.

Reglan is available by the brand name or generics as metoclopramide. Its various formulations include tablets, syrups, injections and oral disintegrating tablets. An estimated 2 million people use some form of Reglan. Individuals who believe they are suffering from complications from Reglan are encouraged to talk to an attorney, as they may be entitled to compensation.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Time is running out for victims of Reglan to file lawsuits

Tardive dyskinesia is an often irreversible condition that is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the extremities, or lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, rapid eye movements or blinking, puckering and pursing of the lips, or impaired movement of the fingers.

It is likely the Supreme Court decision will cost the pharmaceutical drug market “billions of dollars,” according to one attorney quoted by Bloomberg. “There’s no way to quantify it, but the number has as many zeroes in it as attacked Pearl Harbor.”

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Supreme Court ruling could cost pharmaceutical industry ‘billions’