Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Side Effects Added to Black Box Warning

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted February 27, 2009

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 32

The gastrointestinal drug Reglan, and other drugs containing metoclopramide, will carry a new “black box” warning about the risk of tardive dyskinesia, a neurological syndrome which causes involuntary movements of the lower face and body extremities. The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuits for individuals who have developed this condition after long term use of the drug, or use at high doses.

>>FDA LINK: Reglan Side Effects Warning

Tardive Dyskinesia has been shown to be caused by a number of different medications. Although information has been on the label about the risk of developing the syndrome with chronic, long-term use of metoclopramide drugs like Reglan, the FDA is requiring that the drug makers move the information to a more prominent location on the label, contained in a black box to draw attention.

Reglan side effects can cause involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, particularly the lower face and mouth, even after the drug is no longer taken. The development of tardive dyskinesia is directly related to the length of time the drug is taken and the number of doses, with the elderly, especially older women, facing the greatest risk.

Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia from Reglan could include:

  • Lip Smacking
  • Grimacing
  • Repetitive Chewing
  • Pursing and Puckering of the Lips
  • Tongue Protrusion
  • Rapid Eye Movements and Blinking
  • Impaired Finger Movements

The failure of the drug makers to provide prominent warnings about this potential side effect of Reglan are important, as early detection and diagnosis can increase the chances of reversing the condition. However, in many cases the problems are permanent.

It is not recommended that Reglan be taken for more than three months, yet an FDA analysis of data from studies indicated that 20% of individuals treated with metoclopramide took it for longer than 90 days. The majority of Reglan tardive dyskinesia cases involve those who have used it for more than three months.

REGLAN TARDIVE DYSKINESIA LAWSUITS

The Reglan lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential tardive dyskinesia lawsuits for individuals who have been diagnosed with this condition after taking Reglan for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Potential cases are being reviewed and evaluated throughout the United States and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

If you, a friend or family member have suffered from problems with Reglan, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

32 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Sarah says:

    After my son was born he was diagnosed with Acid Reflux & given Reglan to be taken twice daily. He was taking this medication for several months. I then noticed that when my son hit around two years old he developed some very strange behaviors. he has since gotten worse. His doctors are now thinking that he suffers from Aspbergers syndrome. Without medication he is constantly chewing on his tongue & fidgety. He rolls his eyes constanlty without his medication also. So I am now wondering if him taking Reglan for so long as a baby has anything to do with his current problems.

    Posted on May 3, 2009 at 4:36 pm

  • Heather says:

    Sarah,
    My baby has taken reglan for 7months. She has been off the medicine for a month now. I was wondering if you noticed the behavior while he was on the medicine or did you notice it a while after you had taken him off. She was on 1.5 mL four times a day.

    Posted on May 12, 2009 at 6:30 pm

  • Richard says:

    I have taken reglan for years for stomach problems and slowly started having leg jerks.A little later i started having arm and leg jerks , then my whole body seems to be jerking. T he more i try to relax the worse the jerking.Drs. can’t find a reason as they always blam it on my pain medication.I think it is some other cause, maybe Tardiva Dyskinesia.

    Posted on May 21, 2009 at 10:24 am

  • nancy says:

    Have taken Reglan off & on for several years & recently have noticed spasmas in chin area, around mouth, etc. Also my tongue seems to have spasms.

    Posted on May 31, 2009 at 2:49 pm

  • Lisa says:

    I Was prescribed reglan for over 8 years. One morning, about an 45 minutes after taking my dose, my head started to contort to one side and my face also became all contorted and I started choking on my tongue. It was so severe that I had to be rushed to the ER and given a shot of epinephrine. No one was able to tell me why this had happened to me. However, the next day, it happened again, resulting in another horrifying trip to the ER, face and head contorted to one side, choking on my tongue, unable to breathe. Again I was given a shot of epinephrine. That was my last dose of reglan! However, to this day I suffer from numerous facial tics that even involve my eyes, mouth, and tounge.

    Posted on June 8, 2009 at 10:25 am

  • Adrain says:

    I have been prescribed reglan for the past 4 years off & on for what dr.’s thought were ulcers. I was also prescribed reglan by pill & iv during multiple hospitalizations while I was pregnant for gallstones. About a year ago I started to notice my hands, right at the joints that connect the fingers to palm, would lock up & hurt bad. As time goes on it happens alot more often & hurts alot more worse. My dr. ran test because she thought it might be arthiritis. Yet all test came back normal. I also notice that my daughter, who will be 2 next month constantly smacks her lips & rolls her eyes for no reason. I’m constantly checking her mouth because she is chewiong only to find there is nothing in her mouth. She also twitches alot in her sleep. Her dr. attributes the twitching to her sleep apnea, but I disagree. I’m confused & don’t know where to start with seeking help for my daughter & myself.

    Posted on June 17, 2009 at 10:31 pm

  • Dana says:

    I have taken reglan for at least ten years. My legs have jerked for years I was told RLS, but now I’m not sure. I tap my fingers all the time and my husband has said there is movement in my face.

    Posted on June 27, 2009 at 4:01 pm

  • Mark says:

    Im wondering i didnt take reglan for to long. I donated a kidney then a week after my neck locked up and turned to the side , also my arm locked up and it all hurt very bad. Since then i have muscle spasms that hurt and people have noticed taht when i focus on things i open and close my mouth and fidget with my tongue without me knowing i do it (specially when im really focused or paying attention to things does it seem to get worse also i get a high anxiety feeling)

    Posted on June 28, 2009 at 5:37 am

  • Christine says:

    My daughter is 2 years old and was put on Metoclopramide (Reglan) in Feb 3, 2009 and has taken this medication for about a month 1/2. Since the medication she has developed head nodding, grinding of teeth, and other neurological conditions. She has been seeing a neurologist to try and find out what is going on with her but we have no diagnosis yet. I am not even sure that this Reglan is related after only taking it a short period but it would be interesting to know the length of time you have to be on this for it to cause problems?

    Posted on July 1, 2009 at 11:16 am

  • Stephanie says:

    My daughter is 4 now but was on reglan for a long period of time as an infant.I was wondering if its still possible she could develope symptoms from the drug years after takeing it?If so how many years after would you say she will not show any symptoms?I dont believe she has showed any yet.

    Posted on July 7, 2009 at 2:32 pm

  • Cherie says:

    My daughter was involved in a car wreck in “07. In hospital she was givin reglan. Almost 2 years later, still in hospital, she has rapid eye movements, hands are tight, arms are drawn, mouth is “munching”, legs jerk badly. Unfortnately, she still isnt able to talk to tell us how she feels or what is wrong. As I have read the stories here, I know this is whats wrong with my 15 yr old daughter. She may have suffered tramatic brain injury, but the side effect of this medicine are very clear to me now. I pray the makers of this medicine are rewarded in hell. My daughters life has been cut to laying in a bed or sitting in a wheel chair… probally in cramping pain for the rest of her life.

    Posted on August 4, 2009 at 9:05 am

  • Darla says:

    I was taking reglan for about three years due to gastric problems that arose after a surgery. In 2007 I had alot of problems which landed me in the hospital twice. My arms and legs would move uncontrollably, my lips would pucker, twitching in face………….it goes on and on. I started having seizure disorders. I could never get a proper diagnosis, I was told it was parkinsons, or maybe something else, but after what seems to be hundreds of tests being run, still nothing. I know that this problem was cause by taking reglan. I still suffer from seizures, and I still have weakness in my extemeties. I wish I would have known all of the side effects of this medication back when I started taking it.

    Posted on August 18, 2009 at 7:56 am

  • Leeann says:

    I took reglan for 2 maybe 3 years along with other medications. I had some problems so all medications not absolutely necessary were discontinued including Reglan. I noticed a tremor in my left hand but only when I was tired. Over a period of 14 months there was a gradual increase in the tremors in my left hand and sometimes jerking movements. I now shuffle when I walk tripping over my toes and often falling and when resting my head lists to the right. When totally relaxed I notice my head has tremors as well. These symptoms disappear when sleeping and slowly return upon awakening. There is no history of Parkinsons in my family and at 54 its fairly early for Parkinsons onset.

    Posted on September 4, 2009 at 12:29 am

  • Barbara says:

    My 14 year old daughter was prescibed reglan since she was in kindergarten for acid reflux. At age 11 she had to have her gallbladder removed and was given reglan during the surgery. This caused an onset of the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Luckily I took her straight to the emergency room and our wonderful people at the hospital knew exactly was was wrong with her stopped the Reglan and after a week of benadryl her symptoms were completely gone. She is now a happy 14 year old with no continuing symptoms. Thank God our hospital acted quickly and knew what was going on. I just wish everyones story could have ended so well.

    Posted on November 2, 2009 at 3:10 pm

  • fran says:

    I have been taking Metoclopramide for acid reflux and a slow emptying stomach off and on for the last couple of years. Since then, I have experienced problems with a “spastic” tongue and most recently, puckering lips. I haven’t taken the medicine regularly – but rather on an as needed basis. There appears to be a correlation between the symptoms and having consistently taken the medicine over a period of a week or two. I have notified my PCP and my Gastroenterologist of my symptoms and needless to say – I won’t be taking this medicine any longer. I only hope I will not have lasting side effects. Speech impairment and the sensation that you might swallow your tongue is very frightening.

    Posted on December 2, 2009 at 8:38 pm

  • Robin says:

    After seeing a TV commercial about Reglan and involuntary tics, I thought perhaps this is why my son had been having these strange movements all his life. It seems to have moved to different parts of his face and upper arms and wrists. At age three weeks he was prescribed Reglan for reflux and projectile vomiting. He took it for a few months, in his bottle, and then he didn’t need it anymore. I wonder if him taking it at such a young age would have a greater effect on him? He is 18 years old now and has dealt with this all his life. Doctors have said it is just a nervous habit so I never pursued it any further.

    Posted on December 3, 2009 at 8:02 pm

  • Heather says:

    I was put on Reglan when my daughter was 2 days old the dr. said a side effect of Reglan is Lactation so My milk would start coming in, I have now taken it for 3 1/2 months. 3 times a day for milk supply I took my self off earlier this week I’m now worried if it could have gone through my milk to my daughter while breast feeding. As all infants have jerky movements of their limbs I worry if this will continue with her… I have noticed my arms and legs I move them constantly along with tapping my teeth..

    Posted on January 3, 2010 at 11:56 pm

  • Christie says:

    A year in a half ago I was prescribed reglan for a stomach problem due to complications for a hernia and bowel blockage surgery. I was on effexor and I became very sick and developed serotonin syndrome and almost died. I was taken off the medication immediately but since then I have developed seizures, migraines and a constant body twitching especially when I tried to sleep or relax. I have seen specialist and no one has yet diagnosed me. I have even been quoted to be voluntarily doing these movements. I never sleep and my life has not been the same since all of this. I cannot work and I seem to have developed extreme weakness and memory loss. I know this is from the reglan. But how do I get someone to believe me?? I am so frustrated!!

    Posted on February 9, 2010 at 11:19 am

  • Gregory says:

    Dear Victums

    I’m 59 yrs old and acquired gastro parisis, which means the food moves real slow through my digestive system. I was prescribed metroclaprimide after each meal and at bedtime, after years of use these symptoms began. Shaking of my hands, on and off, I seem to groundout sometimes or yhey only shake when I.m touching one hand to the other, then oneday my right hand started to shake the arm until the entire appedage was flaying around like a fish our of water, tried holding it down with the other arm, didn’t do a thing, that has happened twicw and hasn/t reoccured for several months. It’s real hard at times to use my mouse to click a box, sometimes I can’t get a syringe in to my bottle of insulin and often when I’m eating the fork will shake so much on it’s way to my mouth it shakes worse until I have to snap at my bite like a animal. There are some other symptoms but these are the most disabling it’s only started about 6 months ago.

    Posted on February 9, 2010 at 4:56 pm

  • Marilyn says:

    My son, who is now 7 was on Raglan as an infant – he now suffers from what appears to be ADHD symptoms without the learning disabilities. He is actually quite smart. We home school because he is at a 2nd grade level with most work and 4th grade with reading. We have been told he may have sensory deprivation issues that came from his early birth and those complications. I just wonder now if anything he is experinceing is from the taking of Raglan.

    Posted on March 11, 2010 at 5:05 pm

  • Carrie says:

    My daughter was prescribed Reglan for slow gastic emptying when she was 5. She took it for 3 months. Apparently it was long enough to cause Tardive Dyskensia and she battles face grimacing, eye blinking, tongue protrusion, neck twisting, off and on. It does come and go, but we are concerned it will get worse over time. Do any of you that have TD notice it gets worse and has anyone had it go away?

    Posted on March 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm

  • Cathy B says:

    I took Reglan off and on for over 10 years, the longest period being about a 4 year strech. I began to develop muscle pain and weakness, twitching around my eyes and face and sometimes my hands, which has only grown worse as I get older. I developed a tremor in my neck that makes me look as though I am shaking my head no when I am not. After reading all of this I totally believe it is from this drug. I have never been tested for Tardive Dyskensia and I do not have the intense facial tics that have been referenced to in this article but I do have severe muscle and joint pain, swelling in my joints and the neck tremor that no Dr can find the reason why. I do not have arthritis or anything like that which would cause the muscle and joint pain either. It amazes me that the FDA approves all these things and years later this is what happens and yet they will tell you not to use herbal remedies because they are not FDA approved. The herbals have helped me and my family far more and with no side effects. Think about it…if we all began to use natural meds to cure and help ourselves the drug companies would be loosing millions but so many less of us would be coming up with things like this and/or dying from the chemical poison in prescription drugs the FDA has put their stamp of approval on.

    Posted on June 2, 2010 at 11:28 am

  • Marcia says:

    My now 17 year old daughter has been on Metoclopramide for about 1-1/2 years for acid reflux. A few months into taking the medication, I noticed her fingertips seemed to be slightly bending upwards and downwards. I had her tested for RA and had her thyroid checked which all came back normal. I just got back from taking her to Shriners and someone there mentioned about how long she had been on this medication before I noticed the “deformity” in her fingers. Her fingers have gotten much worse, which is why I took her to Shriners. Nothing was said after that and, on the long drive home, that stuck in my mind. Could it have something to do with the metoclopramide?? Any replies will be soo very welcomed!

    Posted on July 22, 2010 at 12:05 am

  • amy says:

    the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen have been blinking uncontrollably. The amazing smile has been diminishing because of the stares, reminders to stop blinking. As a new mom I trusted doctors to guide me and help my infant baby with acid reflux. If I only new back then what I know now. What options do I have now?A lawsuit, dragging my kid through countless doctor appointments, trying to prove something that is obvious. We would be victimized even more because they have very powerful team of lawyers on their side that would do anything to protect pharmaceutical industry and their own self interest. I’m sorry if my post is demoralizing but I had to vent and this seemed like the right place.

    Posted on November 4, 2010 at 12:47 pm

  • Janet says:

    Don’t take it! It has totally changed my moms lifestyle and has caused fluid around her heart, blood pressure problems, smacking, shaky legs and has totally changed her left for good! It needs to be off the market

    Posted on October 4, 2011 at 1:56 pm

  • linda says:

    i have been on metoclopramide for 4 year at three times aday , i have everything listed , the face fits are the worst and chewing my face off till it bleeds , am still on it and drs have not told me to stop , i feel as if they have just left me get on with it they have never mention these side effects before , i do not know what to do . very sad , Linda

    Posted on April 6, 2012 at 3:16 pm

  • Michelle says:

    I only ever took one single 1.5 mg dose. I’m about 5’6″ and 110 pounds…not a big girl. Within 4 hours of this dose, my bottom lip began twitching. It felt as if someone drew a line straight through my bottom lip and that both sides were pulling toward the middle. After reading the pamphlet and seeing the face twitching side effect mentioned, I called my gastroenterologist. He told me not to continue any more doses and if the twitching got worse, go to the ER. That was April 2012. It is now July 2013 and the lip twitching never went away. So “after long time use” didn’t apply to me…it was almost immediate. Besides, what would the ER do, besides take me for an idiot and kick me out??! I can’t believe they say its safe to give to babies… Especially ones who can’t even vocalize their side effects.

    Posted on July 23, 2013 at 2:19 am

  • Bryan says:

    My oldest son was prescribed Reglan as an infant due to reflux. We noticed that he did not seem to be keeping up with his peers as far as developmental milestones such as crawling, sitting up and even walking. We took him to a pediatric neurologist out of concern. Speaking with the doctor, we mentioned that he was taking Reglan regularly. The doctor said to stop the Reglan immediately( see the botom of this post to find out why). We did, and within two weeks, he seemed to “catch up” developmentally. To this day, he still has “tics”, such as chewing the collar on his shirt, occasional jerky limb movements, trouble focusing (ADHD meds seem to help here), etc. He is extremely intelligent and is beginning 6th grade next week. Playing baseball has helped him cope with the tics immensely. I am extremely upset with both my ex-wife (his mother) for insisting he take Reglan, and with the pharmaceutical industry for peddling this crap! As information, Reglan was originally prescribed as an anti-psychotic, so the fact that it has these effects on people should be not at all surprising!

    Posted on August 13, 2013 at 12:39 pm

  • Tracy says:

    I was prescribed Reglan after my gallbladder ruptured and one of the stones punctured a hole in my duodenum. My whole body would violently twitch, especially when I tried to relax/sleep. It twitched hard enough that the staples in my abdomen would pull and hurt. The twitching would be in my face with severe contortions to one side or the other, weird mouth movements. My legs and arms would flail violently and well as my torso. When my doctor heard about the problems with Reglan he immediately took me off of it.

    Now, 4 years later symptoms have greatly reduced but I still have them at times, especially in my arms and legs. They will have an achiness for sometimes days at a time and when I try to rest/relax/sleep the muscles will twitch, although not as violently as before.

    Posted on November 28, 2013 at 12:24 am

  • Dawna says:

    Was taking.regal for 2+years I asked the dr could it be the medicine that caused me to.grind my teeth and.involantary facial movement hesaid no I told the dr.i never in my.life.grinded my teeth.i cant use my teeth to eat like I shoild be able to.tear my food and grind my food because my teeth are so grounded flat and it also.makes me embarresed to bwbe around people cause I am emberrased .

    Posted on February 25, 2014 at 4:24 am

  • J. D. says:

    I have taken Reglan, and Metoclopramide for several years off and on, and about 3 or 4 months ago I started to have this speech impediment, of not being able to say words clearly, and I started chewing my teeth all the time, and biting my jaws periodically. I sounds like my problem is TD–Tardive Diskinesia.

    Posted on July 19, 2017 at 2:46 pm

  • Mary says:

    This stuff is horrible. I know someone who took reglan and within 1 week developed vertical eye nystagmus. They have extreme weakness and there feet move all the time uncontrollably. Their memory has deteriorated. I have spoken with several Doctors about this drug and many say that it is a very bad drug. I have also researched in and in other countries they will not allow their patients to be on this drug no longer than 5 days and it has to be for specific reasons. OUR FDA SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted on July 17, 2018 at 11:16 pm

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