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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits and GERD Treatment Lawsuits

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Neurological Disorder Lawsuits
(GERD and GER Drug Reaction Lawyer)

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that exhibits itself through repetitive, involuntary, & purposeless movements like grimacing; tongue protrusion; lip smacking, puckering & pursing; and rapid eye blinking. Victims of tardive dyskinesia also can exhibit rapid & involuntary movements of the arms and legs. The neurological disorder can be caused by Reglan Tablets, Reglan Oral Disintegrating Tablets, Metoclopramide Oral Solution, and Reglan Injections.

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits (GER and GERD Malpractice Lawsuits)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food.

When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.

An estimated two-thirds of all infants suffer from GER, though the pathological condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) affects approximately only one in 300 babies.

Reglan is a neuroleptic medication used to treat gastrointestinal problems that have had many cases of Tardive Dyskinesia reported in response to it. Reglan is supposed to increase the stomach and small intestine contractions to help the passage of food. As every medication, Reglan has side effects associated to it and some of them are very serious. In February 1996, the FDA warned that Reglan causes an increased risk of Parkinsonism.

Reglan is a dopamine antagonist that increases lower esophageal sphincter pressure and improves gastrointestinal emptying. The FDA approved Reglan, which is manufactured by Baxter Healthcare Corporation, for short-term treatment (between 4 and 12 weeks) of these conditions only after conservative methods of treatment have failed. However, it is common that patients are prescribed Reglan for longer than 12 weeks, which is against FDA recommendations.

This is problematic because prolonged use of Reglan can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, a serious and often irreversible movement disorder. Infants who are given Reglan appear to be at an even greater risk for this serious drug side effect.

The symptoms a person can experience from Tardive Dyskinesia can vary from mild barely noticeable facial ticks and involuntary movements to severe problems. Severe cases of Tardive Dyskinesia can have a significant impact on a person's life disabling them from normal functioning. Severe facial ticks and involuntary body movements can be extremely embarrassing cause a person to withdraw from social interactions.

FDA Requires Boxed Warning for Reglan and other Metoclopramide Containing Drugs (Tardive Dyskinesia GER and GERD Lawsuits)

On February 26, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that manufacturers of metoclopramide, a drug used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, must add a boxed warning to their drug labels about the risk of its long-term or high-dose use. Chronic use of metoclopramide has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs are no longer taken.

Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Neurological Disorder Lawsuits
(GERD and GER Drug Reaction Reglan Lawyer)

For more information on how the use of metoclopramide and Reglan have been linked to tardive dyskinesia and other causes of Tardive Dyskinesia, please go to the following website, Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits, Gastroenterologist malpractice Lawsuits, and GERD/GER Drug Reaction Neurological Disorder Lawsuits.


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