Has your doctor given you a prescription for Reglan, or for its generic form, metoclopramide? If so, you should know some very serious Reglan side effects that can occur when taking this medication.
Reglan is often prescribed to remedy gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD. Often thought of as an extreme form of heartburn, GERD is a chronic condition in which food and acids from the stomach back up into the esophagus. These acids cause irritation and over time, can cause inflammation and other complications. Reglan helps decrease the actual presence of acids in the stomach and also helps lessen nausea.
One of the ways that Reglan works is by blocking a certain neurotransmitter or brain chemical called dopamine. Dopamine affects the brain process that helps control movement in the body. Not enough dopamine, and the body has difficulty moving and the muscles become stiff. Too much dopamine, and the body may make involuntary movements.
Such is the case with people who have taken Reglan long-term. Doctors have found that when patients take Reglan for more than three months they are more likely to develop a movement disorder called Tardive Dyskinesia. Patients with Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia have uncontrolled, repetitive or purposeless movements in the body. It may be movements in the smaller muscles, such as the eyelids, lips or jaw, or it may involve larger muscles like the torso, legs or arms.
Sometimes symptoms will appear while taking the prescription, but for many, those symptoms do not appear until after the medicine has been stopped. Symptoms may lessen over time, but for some patients, the symptoms continue. Presently, there is no cure for Tardive Dyskinesia, but doctors may prescribe additional medicines to combat the symptoms of the movement disorder.
If your doctor recommends that you take Reglan, talk with him about these concerns. Other medicines such as antacids, histamine antagonists and proton pump inhibitors may be helpful in reducing GERD. Lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet or raising the head of the bed, may also help reduce discomfort.
Find out the time frame that you should take the medicine. While most patients who exhibited Tardive Dyskinesia had used Reglan for three months, some groups showed symptoms after less use. If Reglan has been prescribed for a patient who is elderly, female or a child, be particularly careful with the length of time it is being used.
Finally, be alert to any involuntary movements, tics, tremors, shaking, or feelings of an unusual need to move. If any of these occur, contact your doctor immediately. Since some symptoms may increase if you stop taking the medicine abruptly, be sure to work with your doctor to determine an alternative treatment plan.
If you do have any symptoms of involuntary movement after taking Reglan, please contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. Patients suffering from Reglan side effects are currently filing lawsuits throughout the United States.
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