Reglan is a medication commonly used to treat gastrointestinal conditions such as severe heartburn or acid reflux, and diabetic gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It is indicated as a short-term therapy to be used for no more than 12 weeks. Studies have shown that long-term use of Reglan puts users at a 1-in-5 risk of developing tardive dyskinesia. The condition causes sufferers to develop 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. The condition can be permanent, continuing even after the offending medication has been stopped.

Both lawsuits claim that the drug’s manufacturers didn’t adequately warn users that they were at risk for developing tardive dyskinesia. Both Keeper and Austin are seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, court costs, and interest.

Reglan and the generic metoclopramide now carry an FDA boxed warning about the risk of developing the movement disorder.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Two more lawsuits filed against makers of heartburn drug Reglan

Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder that causes involuntary movements, especially in the lower face. Symptoms include facial grimacing, jaw swinging, repetitive chewing and tongue thrusting. It is a serious side effect from long-term use of antipsychotic drugs as well as metoclopramide, but sometimes the condition occurs with short-term use of the medication. The condition may be reversed if it is diagnosed early and the medication is stopped; however, in many cases, the involuntary movements may be permanent and in some cases may become significantly worse.

Last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning on Reglan (metoclopramide) after numerous reports of consumers developing tardive dyskinesia after taking the drug. The label now warns of the risk of the disorder with long-term (12 weeks or more) use of the drug.

Bennett took Reglan (metoclopramide) as an acid reflux treatment from December 2008 to May 2009 and developed tardive dyskinesia. He claims the defendant provided inaccurate, misleading, incomplete, false and inadequate information about the risks in taking Reglan (metoclopramide). He is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, court costs, and interest.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Louisiana man sues maker of acid reflux medication Reglan

One popular choice in acid reflux treatment are pills known as Proton-Pump Inhibitors. “The dark side of Proton-Pump Inhibitors, because we’ve used so much of them for such a long period of time, is beginning to emerge,” says Dr. Henri Roca of LSU Health Sciences Center’s Family and Integrative Medicine during a interview with WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Proton-Pump Inhibitors are available both by prescription, such as Nexium, and over-the-counter, as Prevacid, Omeprazole and Prilosec. These drugs are recommended for use for seven or eight weeks. When someone takes them for 12 weeks or longer, problems arise.

When taken long term, Proton-Pump Inhibitors can inhibit the body from properly absorbing calcium, which puts long-term users at high risk for osteoporosis. It also interferes with the body’s defense mechanisms by clearing up bacteria that benefits the stomach and intestines, thus contributing to more gastrointestinal infections. And recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the combined use of the heart medication Plavix with Proton-Pump Inhibitors after tests showed that the Proton-Pump Inhibitors reduced the effectiveness of Plavix.

Another type of medication used to treat heartburn symptoms available only by prescription is Reglan (metoclopramide). Again, long-term (12 weeks or more) use of Reglan can have serious consequences. Early this year the FDA issued a black box warning on Reglan and other metoclopramide medications after numerous cases of a serious movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia had been linked to use of Reglan. Tardive Dyskinesia can be debilitating and the symptoms may not stop even after the medication has been discontinued.

Doctors advise patients to talk with the doctors about their symptoms and any medications they may be taking. According to Dr. Roca, your symptoms may be caused by a number of ailments, and there may be safer and more effective ways to treat your heartburn symptoms.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Long term use of heartburn drugs can be dangerous