Tardive Dyskinesia Reglan Lawsuit Settlements

by Steve Fields on March 15th, 2010

Reglan, Tardive Dyskinesia, And Diagnosing The Condition

In the early 1980s, Reglan was introduced to the public in its generic form metoclopramide. One of the more serious side effects of Reglan is tardive dyskinesia. Reglan was prescribed by physicians to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, and post-chemotherapy nausea. In the case of GERD, metoclopramide triggered contractions within the stomach muscles. The contractions accelerated the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract and thereby, prevented it from washing back into the esophagus. Please contact us for the lastest information on Reglan lawsuit settlements and filing deadlines.

It wasn’t long before incidents of tardive dyskinesia among patients began to emerge. In the nearly three decades that have passed, the link between Reglan and TD has become much stronger. In February 2009, the growing number of cases prompted the FDA to issue their black box warning on metoclopramide. The warning specifically emphasizes the dangers of developing TD with chronic use of the drug.

This article will focus upon the challenges of diagnosing Reglan-induced tardive dyskinesia and common symptoms that patients display. I’ll also explain the difficulties with regard to treating the condition.

Challenges With Diagnosing Tardive Dyskinesia

The most significant obstacle with diagnosing TD is that a standardized test does not exist. Instead, diagnosis often involves multiple doctors and a battery of examinations, both physical and psychological. A patient’s complete medical history must also be reviewed. Diagnosing the condition is made still more challenging because the symptoms can manifest sporadically. In other words, physicians may have nothing to observe when they’re trying to identify the problem.

Studies have shown that patients who use metoclopramide drugs for longer than three months are particularly vulnerable to developing tardive dyskinesia. The problem is that patients may present symptoms that are similar to TD, but are actually attributable to other disorders. For example, dystonia is characterized by involuntary movements that are very similar to TD. Akathisia displays as a persistent restlessness or inability to sit still; like tardive dyskinesia, it is triggered by dopamine blockers.

While these factors complicate an accurate diagnosis of TD, doctors have been able to identify specific muscle groups and their movements among patients.

Common Symptoms

Among the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, the most noticeable are repetitive facial grimacing, tongue thrusting, blinking, and lip puckering and smacking. But, the condition is not limited to the facial area. Patients who have developed TD as the result of chronic use of metoclopramide drugs may also exhibit signs in their limbs and digits. For example, light, persistent tremors in the hands and fingers will display. So too, might the victim’s arms sway or move quickly. The patient’s toes might tap and her legs might move up and down. In severe cases, the victim’s midsection and upper body will twist uncontrollably.

Is The Condition Treatable?

The most devastating factor of Reglan-induced tardive dyskinesia is that the condition is incurable. Once TD manifests, the symptoms can be treated to reduce their severity, but the disorder itself cannot be eliminated. What’s more, treatment is not homogeneous. Each patient’s circumstances must be reviewed before a doctor will prescribe treatment. Then, one of several possible medications (for example, oxypertine or tetrabenazine), acetylcholine blockers, and drugs normally used to treat Parkinson’s disease may be prescribed.

Metoclopramide-induced tardive dyskinesia is a lifelong, debilitating condition that carries a severe social, emotional, and financial cost. If you have been diagnosed with it, consider contacting a Reglan lawyer to discuss your options including filing a Tardive Dyskinesia Reglan lawuit.