News Tagged ‘gastrointestinal disorders’

Long-term use of heartburn drug can cause serious movement disorder

Thousands of people who suffer from gastrointestinal problems such as severe , and gastroparesis, are treated with the prescription drug Reglan, known by the generic metoclopramide. These drugs were originally prescribed for daily use for as long as two years in some patients. What patients may not realize is that long-term use of the drug is no longer recommended – and, in fact, falls under an FDA – as it can cause a serious and sometimes permanent neurological disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia.

Read the rest of this entry »

Diabetic gastroparesis treatment shows well in clinical trials

Tranzyme Pharama says its new treatment for diabetic gastroparesis, a disabling disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents, has shown positive results in phase II clinical trials among diabetic patients with the digestive disorder. The pharmaceutical company was granted “fast-track status” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for TZP-102, a designation that is typically reserved for drugs that treat serious and unmet medical needs. The designation is designed to speed up the review and approval process.

Read the rest of this entry »

Man suffers permanent disability from heartburn drug

When 57-year-old August Macaluso, a former nuclear-plant maintenance worker in Charlotte, N.C., began shaking violently, blinking incessantly and slurring his speech, he and his wife Sharon were both puzzled. Desperate for answers, Sharon Googled his symptoms and learned that the drug her husband had been taking for just three months was linked to the involuntary movement disorder Tardive Dyskinesia with frighteningly similar symptoms. He stopped taking the drug and after a battery of medical tests, doctors confirmed the Macalusoes’ worst fears. August had suffered permanent damage.

Read the rest of this entry »

New medical center to focus on gastrointestinal disorders

A new medical center specializing in gastrointestinal disorders is opening in El Paso, Texas, offering hope to patients throughout the country who suffer from debilitating symptoms. The new center is a collaborative effort between the University Medical Center of El Paso and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Called the Center for Gastrointestinal Motility and Functional Bowel Disorders, the center will diagnose and treat people who have problems digesting food.

Read the rest of this entry »