Reglan Drug Lawsuit Information

by Steve Fields on February 14th, 2010

An increasing number of people have looked for more information regarding Reglan side effects and Reglan drug lawsuit information as the public becomes more aware of the involuntary movement disorder tardive dyskinesia. Mothers who wish to breastfeed their infants may have difficulty producing milk. Common reasons include illness, effects of breast surgery, or insufficient lactation to nurse an adopted baby. Doctors have been prescribing drugs containing metoclopramide (the generic version of Reglan) for nursing mothers in order to increase milk production. Unfortunately, many women who are using this drug for this purpose risk exposing themselves to a number of Reglan side effects.

This article will explore the use of the the Reglan drug in the context of increasing a nursing mother’s milk supply. I’ll explain why doctors prescribe the drug for this purpose. We’ll also take a look at a few of the potential side effects that can result from chronic use.

Does Reglan Stimulate Milk Production?

The brain produces and secretes a peptide hormone called prolactin; this hormone is directly associated with the production of breast milk. Normally, prolactin is produced after childbirth by the sensation of a baby nursing. However, the brain may not produce levels that are necessary for adequate lactation. This is the reason many doctors prescribe metoclopramide drugs for women who are breastfeeding their babies.

Reglan stimulates the production of prolactin and thereby, increases a mother’s milk supply. In most cases, women are instructed by their doctors to take a 10-milligram tablet four times daily for a week. There is usually a marked increase in breast milk supply within three days.

Having said that, women who are unable to sustain an adequate supply may be tempted to take metoclopramide products for far longer periods, or in higher doses. Both pose a significant risk. Studies have shown that taking Reglan for periods longer than three months sharply increases the risk of developing severe long-term side effects.

Passing Reglan Drugs From Mom To Infant

When a nursing woman takes drugs containing metoclopramide, a portion is passed along to her infant through her breast milk. Under normal circumstances, this exposure has little impact on her baby; the portion that is passed along is small. What’s more, assuming the mother only uses Reglan during the first week, and only in the prescribed doses, her infant’s vulnerability is limited. That said, high-dose or chronic use of the drug carries a considerable level of risk of developing neurological disorders such as tardive dyskinesia for the mother while the potential effects on the unborn child are still unknown to a large degree.

Tardive Dyskinesia And Other Possible Side Effects

Taking metoclopramide drugs in high doses or for periods exceeding three months can lead to a host of acute side effects. One of the most prevalent is tardive dyskinesia, an involuntary movement disorder. Outward manifestations include uncontrollable facial grimacing, repetitive tongue protrusions, and rapid blinking. It is incurable; victims are often forced to endure the spasms, tics, and discomfort for the rest of their lives.

Depression is another possible side effect of chronic Reglan use. This is particularly worrisome in nursing mothers; the potential of postpartum depression can be exacerbated by taking the drug.

Metoclopramide products can help increase a nursing mother’s milk supply, but there are risks involved with taking them. By understanding those risks, women who are breastfeeding can limit their exposure and avoid developing debilitating disorders such as tardive dyskinesia. For a free, no-obligation consultation please contact us and a Reglan attorney will help answer your questions.