Often times when something goes wrong, it is easy to place the blame on one individual. For example, in sports, the coach is often the scapegoat, getting fired for a team’s poor play. However, it is much more likely that one individual is not at fault for any given problem. Therefore, everyone involved should share the blame and responsibility. Patients should not be the only individuals responsible for suffering the consequences of the chronic use of Reglan. The manufacturers of Reglan, the FDA, and doctors and physicians have “dropped the ball”. They should take responsibility.
Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug created by manufacturers to treat acid reflux disease, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disorder and some symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis. Reglan helps to induce muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This elevates the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. The drug comes in different forms: tablets, oral solution, and injection. Because metoclopramide is the leading cause of drug-induced movement disorders, Reglan has been recommended only for short-term use. Generally, patients should use the drug for just 1-3 months to avoid serious side effects.
The chronic use of Reglan (anything over three months) has been found to cause a neurological disorder called tardive dyskinesia. Similar to Parkinson-like symptoms, patients with tardive dyskinesia suffer from involuntary and repetitive movements throughout their body. There are many symptoms that result from tardive dyskinesia, including: facial tics and grimacing, lip smacking, repeated eye movements, restless leg syndrome, and tongue protrusion. Perhaps the most alarming fact about tardive dyskinesia is that the disorder is often irreversible. People will suffer from the disorder for the rest of their lives. This is especially troublesome when considering studies suggesting children and infants are more susceptible to developing tardive dyskinesia than adults.
The manufacturers of Reglan must surely be held responsible for any dangers that may occur from the use of their product. As the FDA has reported, many Reglan users suffer from tardive dyskinesia. In fact, FDA data has showed that nearly 30% of patients using Reglan for over a year develop the drug-induced movement disorder. This clearly suggests that manufacturers of Reglan did not adequately warn people of the very serious risks associated with the chronic use of their product. Manufacturers need to perform more research and studies on the potential risks their products may cause before making them available to the public.
In an effort to make people aware of the risks evident from the chronic use of Reglan, the United States Food and Drug Administration ordered a Black Box Warning for the drug in late February 2009. This warning is the most severe warning the FDA gives. Although this FDA action was a step in the right direction, it should have been done sooner. It is crucial that the FDA promptly warn people of the risks of taking any drug. In the case of Reglan, it is even more important given that it may lead to an irreversible disorder.
According to the FDA, over 20% of Reglan users take the drug for more than three months. Any doctor or physician who prescribes Reglan for a period of time longer than three months is condoning a potentially dangerous use of the drug. Unfortunately, the patients will be those suffering as a result of the harmful misuse. Also, it has been reported that over two million Americans have been prescribed Reglan. This fact suggests two things. First, patients often trust and follow the professional judgment or recommendation of their doctors. Second, doctors are likely being too quick to recommend Reglan. Reglan should be used as the last available option to treat gastroesophageal reflux because the possibility of developing tardive dyskinesia.
The manufacturers of Reglan, the FDA, and doctors would all likely suggest that patients need to be more responsible, reading labels and determining the risks for any drug they consume. While it is true that patients should be careful before they begin any medication, it is also true that manufacturers, the FDA, and doctors owe a duty of care to those patients. When it comes to taking risks, patients are on a need-to-know basis. In the case of Reglan, patients need to know the risks of chronic use. The manufacturers, the FDA, and doctors should take more responsibility in an effort to make patients aware.
Click here for more information on Reglan or to contact an attorney
Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug created by manufacturers to treat acid reflux disease, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disorder and some symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis. Reglan helps to induce muscle contractions in the upper digestive tract. This elevates the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. The drug comes in different forms: tablets, oral solution, and injection. Because metoclopramide is the leading cause of drug-induced movement disorders, Reglan has been recommended only for short-term use. Generally, patients should use the drug for just 1-3 months to avoid serious side effects.
The chronic use of Reglan (anything over three months) has been found to cause a neurological disorder called tardive dyskinesia. Similar to Parkinson-like symptoms, patients with tardive dyskinesia suffer from involuntary and repetitive movements throughout their body. There are many symptoms that result from tardive dyskinesia, including: facial tics and grimacing, lip smacking, repeated eye movements, restless leg syndrome, and tongue protrusion. Perhaps the most alarming fact about tardive dyskinesia is that the disorder is often irreversible. People will suffer from the disorder for the rest of their lives. This is especially troublesome when considering studies suggesting children and infants are more susceptible to developing tardive dyskinesia than adults.
The manufacturers of Reglan must surely be held responsible for any dangers that may occur from the use of their product. As the FDA has reported, many Reglan users suffer from tardive dyskinesia. In fact, FDA data has showed that nearly 30% of patients using Reglan for over a year develop the drug-induced movement disorder. This clearly suggests that manufacturers of Reglan did not adequately warn people of the very serious risks associated with the chronic use of their product. Manufacturers need to perform more research and studies on the potential risks their products may cause before making them available to the public.
In an effort to make people aware of the risks evident from the chronic use of Reglan, the United States Food and Drug Administration ordered a Black Box Warning for the drug in late February 2009. This warning is the most severe warning the FDA gives. Although this FDA action was a step in the right direction, it should have been done sooner. It is crucial that the FDA promptly warn people of the risks of taking any drug. In the case of Reglan, it is even more important given that it may lead to an irreversible disorder.
According to the FDA, over 20% of Reglan users take the drug for more than three months. Any doctor or physician who prescribes Reglan for a period of time longer than three months is condoning a potentially dangerous use of the drug. Unfortunately, the patients will be those suffering as a result of the harmful misuse. Also, it has been reported that over two million Americans have been prescribed Reglan. This fact suggests two things. First, patients often trust and follow the professional judgment or recommendation of their doctors. Second, doctors are likely being too quick to recommend Reglan. Reglan should be used as the last available option to treat gastroesophageal reflux because the possibility of developing tardive dyskinesia.
The manufacturers of Reglan, the FDA, and doctors would all likely suggest that patients need to be more responsible, reading labels and determining the risks for any drug they consume. While it is true that patients should be careful before they begin any medication, it is also true that manufacturers, the FDA, and doctors owe a duty of care to those patients. When it comes to taking risks, patients are on a need-to-know basis. In the case of Reglan, patients need to know the risks of chronic use. The manufacturers, the FDA, and doctors should take more responsibility in an effort to make patients aware.
Click here for more information on Reglan or to contact an attorney
