Consumer Rights Have Been Compromised by GERD Drugs by Nick Messe

Metoclopramide, or Reglan, is a newer drug used to treat various gastrointestinal conditions, particularly nausea and vomiting which do not respond to other medications. Like many newer medications, it is very commonly prescribed, in some cases even to the point of over-prescription. However, there are side effects which can be irreversible and debilitating. This has led to a class action Reglan lawsuit against the manufacturers.

Some of the side effects include dizziness, depression, and hypotension. However, the most startling side effect of metoclopramide is also one which cannot be treated or reversed after it has occurred. This side effect is a disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. It comes about as a result of the way Reglan acts on the brain and body.

Reglan is a type of drug known as a dopamine antagonist. These drugs, which include some antipsychotic medications, are well known as being contributing factors to tardive dyskinesia. By not adequately warning consumers about this risk, the makers of Reglan have been negligent. They have violated consumer rights and caused this terrible disorder to develop in people who would have otherwise never gotten it.

Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder involving involuntary and repetitive facial movements, which may occur to the point of pain. The only cause of this disorder is long-term use or over-prescription of dopamine antagonists. These cause permanent changes to the extrapyramidal system in the brain, an area responsible for small motor control. For many drugs of this category, doctors will deliberately use the lowest dosages possible in order to keep this problem from developing.

However, due to possible inadequate information provided to patients and physicians, Reglan has been prescribed in dosages high enough and for durations long enough for tardive dyskinesia to develop in some users of this medication. There are several symptoms which can reveal if you or a loved one has developed tardive dyskinesia. Facial movements which are common include tongue protrusion, facial contortion, grimacing, lip smacking, abnormal lip movements, and eye blinking.

These movements all occur spontaneously and the person cannot prevent them. Rarely, these symptoms of restlessness can appear in other forms as well, such as a constant desire to move the body, or involuntary tics of the limbs or repetitive speech habits. These side effects, which have led to the Reglan lawsuit, cannot be stopped or prevented, and are irreversible, thus condemning some users of Reglan to a lifelong disorder.

If you or a loved one has been affected negatively by the side effects of this drug, it is important to talk to a Reglan attorney. A good lawyer can help you to determine if you qualify to be involved in a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturers of this drug for misleading consumers. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and time missed from work.