Reglan Side Effects in Children

by Steve Fields on July 1st, 2009

Reglan side effects in infants and children has been reported in patients receiving Reglan and the generic drug metoclopramide. Children are often prescribed metoclopramide drugs to treat acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux) and erosive esophagitis. Current package labeling warns of the Reglan dangers of the movement disorder tardive dyskinesia with chronic metoclopramide (Reglan) treatment. The development of this neurological disorder is strongly related to the length of time a patient is taking Reglan and the number of doses taken. Those at greatest risk include infants and children especially if they have used the drug for an extended period of time.

Serious neurologic Reglan drug side effects in children include:

• Tardive dystonia
• cervical dystonia (torticollis)
• Parkinsonian symptoms
• Akathisia
• neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• tardive dyskinesia

Metoclopramide is available in a variety of forms including tablets, syrups and injections. Names of metoclopramide-containing products include Reglan Tablets, Reglan Oral Disintegrating Tablets, Metoclopramide Oral Solution, and Reglan Injection. More than two million Americans use these products.

Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by several different symptoms:

• involuntary and repetitive movements
• grimacing
• tongue protrusion
• lip smacking
• rapid eye movements or blinking
• puckering or pursing of the lips
• involuntary movements of the fingers
• rapid movements of the arms or legs

Not all children exhibit all of the symptoms. Children with tardive dyskinesia side effects from Reglan may only have repetitive movements with their mouth or in others it may affect their arms. These symptoms are rarely reversible and there is no known treatment. However, in some patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide treatment is stopped.

It is recommended that treatment not exceed twelve weeks, however it is estimated that around thirty percent of patients who are prescribed products containing metoclopramide take the medication for a much longer period of time.

Metoclopramide is available in a variety of forms including tablets, syrups and injections. Names of metoclopramide-containing products include Reglan Tablets, Reglan Oral Disintegrating Tablets, Metoclopramide Oral Solution, and Reglan Injection. More than two million Americans use these products.

Recent studies suggest that metoclopramide drugs such as Reglan are the most common cause of drug-induced movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia. Another analysis of study data by the FDA showed that around 20 percent of patients in that study who used metoclopramide took it for longer than the recommended three months. The FDA has also become aware of continued spontaneous reports of tardive dyskinesia in patients who used metoclopramide, the majority of whom had taken the drug for more than three months.

We are currently representing families of children who suffer from tardive dyskinesia or have tardive symptoms but have not been properly diagnosed. We represent all Reglan lawsuit clients on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your child’s case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free at 1-888-343-5375 or fill out our short online contact form and a Reglan class action attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions regarding how we can best help your child.