Reglan

Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Law Firm

Reglan, otherwise known as metoclopramide is a drug manufactured by Wyeth and Schwarz Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Baxter Healthcare. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it use originally in 1985 and then it's generic counterpart in 1999 for the treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and since its approval, over two million prescriptions have been written resulting in $27 million a year in profits.

Reglan works as a dopamine inhibitor by strengthening the stomach muscles that empty its contents into the intestines. Reglan helps to speed up the process, thereby preventing acid reflux and heartburn. It has also been used to aid in the production of breast milk in women who are having difficulty nursing their babies. However, Reglan also carries with it some nasty side effects.

In the process of reducing dopamine levels, Reglan triggers the increase of a hormone called prolactin. Because the blood stream is now flowing with continual and constant amounts of prolactin, negative things can happen to the central nervous system. The patient may experience the inability to control their muscle movements as seen in Parkinson's Disease or they may notice facial grimacing, twitching and restless shaking and tremors as seen in Tardive Dyskinesia. Another common side effect connected to the use of Reglan is depression, extreme anxiety, memory loss, mental confusion, suicidal thoughts and attempts, the loss of sexual desire and erectile dysfunction in men.

Because of these serious side effects, the FDA in February of 2009 issued a requirement that manufacturers place a warning on the prescription boxes for Reglan that states the possibility of serious side effects when taken for longer than 3 months and given at higher doses. Side effects from the use of Reglan include tremors, facial twitches, involuntary muscle movements, fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, depression, thoughts of suicide, severe anxiety, seizures and jaundice. In some cases, these side effects have become permanent disorders even after discontinuing the use of Reglan. If you experience any of the serious side effects associated with Reglan use, call your doctor immediately.

If you or someone you love has suffered from these side effects, you may be eligible for compensation. Take a moment and fill out the "Quick Contact" form on the home page of this website. The professional team of lawyers and medical experts at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm will evaluate your case and see to it that you get justice.

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