Some studies show that patients who take the medications for more than 12 weeks, as well as the elderly, are as much as 20 to 70 percent at risk for developing Tardive Dyskinesia. Medications like Reglan (metoclopramide) may mask the symptoms, which can become more prevalent after the medication is discontinued. Even after patients stop taking the drugs, symptoms may persist.

Symptoms include involuntary lip smacking, blinking, raising eyebrows, tongue twitching and protrusion, toe tapping, and jerking, repetitive, involuntary motions of the fingers, hands, arms, legs and/or torso. For some, the movements are slight and hardly noticeable. For others, the involuntary movements are severe and debilitating.

Unfortunately, there is no way to predict who will suffer the symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia, which makes it even more important that patients understand the risks of their medication. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning, its most serious warning, on Reglan (metoclopramide) because of the risk of Tardive Dyskinesia especially with long-term use of the medication. An estimated two million people take some form of Reglan (metoclopramide), and may be at risk for developing the movement disorder.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Movement disorder linked to common medications

Gastroparesis is a disorder in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. It is the result of damage to the vagus nerve, which controls the movement of food through the digestive system. The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes, though it may also be caused by viral infections, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, nervous system diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and certain metabolic disorders. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

An estimated 10 million people suffer from gastroparesis. Patients are often prescribed metoclopramide, a drug known in the U.S. by the brand name Reglan, to treat their condition. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning on metoclopramide/Reglan after an investigation found that patients who took the drug were at an increased risk of developing a severe involuntary movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. People treated with metoclopramide/Reglan for more than 12 weeks are at greater risk. The condition is often irreversible, even after the medication has been stopped.

With so few treatment options available to gastroparesis sufferers, the Gastroparesis Awareness Campaign Organization is using this month to push for funding to help find new medications to treat the millions of people who suffer from gastroparesis. “We will be having additional fund raisers this year as well sending out care packets to help bring smiles to those suffering with gastroparesis,” states the organization’s Web site. “Together, we will fight for a cure!”

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Metoclopramide accelerates food absorption and may slow the emptying of solids, thus diabetics may need to increase insulin doses. The drug also may reduce the absorption of medications, such as the heart medication digoxin. The drug also has been linked to a serious movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. Concurrent use of phenothiazine and butyrophenone tranqulizers should be avoided because they increase the potential for Tardive Dyskinesia. The condition causes involuntary muscle spasms, motor restlessness and inappropriate aggression.

Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administratin (FDA) issued a black box warning on Reglan (metoclopramide) for the risk of Tardive Dyskinesia with long-term use of the medication. The elderly are at higher risk of experiencing side effects, in particular Tardive Dyskinesia. Dosage may need to be adjusted in older patients with impaired kidney function. Children may experience muscles spasms and Tardive Dyskinesia as well as blood problems if they take high doses of the medication.

Individuals who have suffered side effects after taking Reglan (metoclopramide) should contact their physicians. They may also have a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the medication.

The Merck Veterinary Journal
iVillage: Your Total Health

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Prokinetic drugs like Reglan have list of side effects

Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is a disfiguring disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face, tongue or extremities. Symptoms can include 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 symptoms do not always go away after discontinuation of the medication.

The new labeling warns consumers and health care providers that the risk of developing TD increases with duration of treatment and total cumulative dose.

“Although the risk of TD with metoclopramide has not been extensively studied, one published study reported a TD prevalence of 20 percent among patients treated for at least 12 weeks,” the new warning states.

The labeling warns consumers and health care providers not to use the treatment for more than 12 weeks except in rare cases where the therapeutic benefit outweighs the risk of developing TD. Elderly are at greater risk, but any patient who develops signs of symptoms should stop taking the medication immediately. Metoclopramide may also suppress or partially suppress the signs of TD, thereby masking the underlying disease process.

If you or a loved one have been injured by Reglan side effects, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

Source: FDA

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › FDA approves Reglan label changes to reflect black box warning

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.

The FDA recently issued a black box warning – the strongest warning the FDA can require – on Reglan (metoclopramide) after reports of serious and debilitating side effects from people who were taking the medication over an extended period of time. The condition, known as Tardive Dyskinesia, is an involuntary movement of muscles that can include lip smacking, tongue thrusting, eye blinking and buldging, head jerking, facial grimacing, puckering and pursing of the lips and involuntary movements of the fingers. The condition often lingers even after the medication has been discontinued, causing serious disability.

Currently, the makers of Reglan are facing numerous lawsuits by individuals who have been harmed by the medication and are seeking justice. Could Jessica be another victim of Reglan?

Watch the video below.

SOURCE: Reglan Side Effects › Are Baby Jessica’s head jerks a side effect of Reglan?