Houston Reglan Attorneys

Texas Reglan Injury Lawyers  

If you or your loved one were prescribed the drug Reglan, also known by the generic name of  metoclopramide, you should know that prolonged use has been known to cause tardive dyskinesia, a serious and often irreversible disorder manifesting in involuntary, repetitive movements of the face and fingers and you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact one of our Reglan Lawyers  now for a free consultation.

What is Tardive Dyskinesia?

Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological syndrome caused by the long-term use of neuroleptic drugs such as Reglan and drugs containing metoclopramide. Neuroleptic drugs are generally prescribed for psychiatric disorders, as well as for some gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements. Features of the disorder may include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. Involuntary movements of the fingers may appear as though the patient is playing an invisible guitar or piano.

Is there any treatment?

There is no standard treatment for tardive dyskinesia. Treatment is highly individualized. The first step is generally to stop or minimize the use of the neuroleptic drug. However, for patients with a severe underlying condition this may not be a feasible option. Replacing the neuroleptic drug with substitute drugs may help some patients. Other drugs such as benzodiazepines, adrenergic antagonists, and dopamine agonists may also be beneficial.

What is the prognosis?

Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may remain long after discontinuation of neuroleptic drugs; however, with careful management, some symptoms may improve and/or disappear with time. The extent of these serious side effects has caused the Federal Drug Administration to issue an advisory requiring the drug manufacturers to place a "Black Box" warning on packages of the drugs.

Reglan has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in children and adults such as gastoesophageal reflux (GERD)

"Reglan, also known as metoclopramide, a  drug used for gastointestinal disorders, has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, a serious and irreversible disorder causing involuntary and repetitive movements of the face and extremities such as lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, rapid eye movements or blinking, puckering, pursing of the lips in children and adults."

Michael P. Fleming, Board Certified - Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

On February 26, 2009, the US Federal Drug Administration issued a requirement of a "Black Box Warning" on drugs such as Reglan warning patients against prolonged use. If you or your loved one are experiencing involuntary movements of the face, hands or other parts of the body and have been treated with Reglan or drugs containing metoclopramide, immediately email the Reglan lawyers at Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P.C. or call us toll free at (888) 529-0018 today.

"Recently published analyses suggest that metoclopramide is the most common cause of drug-induced movement disorders. Another analysis of study data by the FDA showed that about 20 percent of patients in that study who used metoclopramide took it for longer than three months. The FDA has also become aware of continued spontaneous reports of tardive dyskinesia in patients who used metoclopramide, the majority of whom had taken the drug for more than three months."

US Food and Drug Administration Announcement, February 26, 2009

Michael P. Fleming, former Harris County Attorney, is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This Houston law firm is A/V (highest) rated by Martindale - Hubbell Mr. Fleming has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer. Their Firm has been profiled in H-Texas Magazine's Top Attorneys feature. Michael P. Fleming is also one of the very small percentage of attorneys in the entire country to have argued and won a case before the Supreme Court of the United States of American in Washington, D.C.

Statutes of limitation can bar a valid claim if not asserted in time. Therefore, if you or a loved one are suffering from involuntary facial or other bodily movements, you should investigate whether they were prescribed Reglan or a drug containing metroclopramide for gastrointestinal disorders. Contact one of our Reglan lawyers today to discuss the facts of your situation and your potential claim.

Accepting Reglan Cases Nationwide:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming