The Impact Of Tardive Dyskinesia

Reglan (metoclopramide) is a medication that is often prescribed on a short-term basis in treating various digestive disorders, including gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), vomiting, nausea, persistent heartburn, and bloating. Unfortunately, this drug has also become the source of a condition known as tardive dyskinesia for many patients, and it should only be tried briefly when other medications have failed to provide relief.





Tardive dyskinesia symptoms





This condition, which is both permanent and severe, is known to cause repetitive, involuntary movements of the face, legs, arms, torso, and hands. An effective treatment or cure has not yetbeen developed for it, but it is possible to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms if the patient discontinues using Reglan. Anyone who has taken the drug for twelve weeks or longer, and elderly women, are particularly at risk for encountering this problem.





Tardive dyskinesia is untreatable, and it is also unresponsive to treatments for Parkinson's disease, which involve stimulation of the patient's muscles. However, its symptoms are often compared with Parkinson's and Tourette syndrome, since they are all complex muscle disorders. The patient's quality of life is severely impacted in many areas, and the related insurance premiums rise at an alarming rate as patients seek relief of their symptoms.





Legal implications of Reglan and tardive dyskinesia





If you, or someone close to you, have taken Reglan and then developed this condition, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation because the manufacturer or another responsible party may be obligated to reimburse you for the related medical costs, your pain and suffering, and additional damages.





Since it is possible that patients may develop tardive dyskinesia when taking this drug, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public about the dangers of using Reglan on a high-dose or long-term basis, and the manufacturer was required to include this warning when labeling the product. Note that there is a hidden danger here, because Reglan's side effects will not become evident when the patient begins taken the drug. Instead, they will remain dormant for an extended length of time.





Reglan class-action suit





Lawsuits for damages induced by this medication have become so frequent that a class-action lawsuit has been initiated. In April 2009, plaintiffs in these cases asked that their litigation be combined where the presiding judge, James C. Mahan, is experienced in dealing with such matters-the U.S. District of Nevada. Now, this federal district court, based in Las Vegas, is the focal point for lawsuits based on tardive dyskinesia cases that were Reglan-induced.





Many of the various attorneys and law firms involved in handling their client's Reglan lawsuits indicate that filing a centralized class-action suit will help eliminate conflicting schedules and judicial determinations, and save time and expense as well.








------





If you or a loved one has taken Reglan and developed tardive dyskinesia or other reglan side effects you should contact a Reglan lawyer to learn about possible financial compensation. Nick Messe is the founder and president of Lead Frog LLC.