On March 16, a letter was sent by the presiding judge of the Essex County Superior Court to the administrative director of the courts of New Jersey requesting centralized management for the Reglan litigation in the state. The judge indicated that Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuits are being filed in his court on a weekly basis and predicted that many more cases are likely to be filed throughout the state, which is the headquarters for the primary defendant in the litigation, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.

Reglan is the brand name for generic metoclopramide, which is a gastrointestinal drug used to treat disorders like diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesphageal reflux (GERD) and delayed gastric emptying. While the drug is only approved for use over a short period of time, long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary and repetitive movements of the face and limbs.

Lawsuits over Reglan involve allegations that Wyeth, who originated the drug, and various generic drug makers failed to adequately research their medication or warn about the potential movement disorder side effects of Reglan. The drug makers appear to have turned a blind eye to the increased risk of tardive dyskinesia associated with long-term use of their medication, as continued use of the drug for extended periods of time would likely result in increased their sales.

Although Reglan tardive dyskinesia litigation has been around for more than two decades, with the first case filed in 1998, the number of new lawsuits have grown dramatically in the past year after the FDA ordered a black box Reglan tardive dyskinesia warning in February 2009. That label, which is the strongest warning that can be placed on a prescription medication, raised awareness about this side effect and led many individuals to realize that there may be a connection between their use of Reglan and movement disorder problems they have developed, which could include:

• Grimacing, Puckerinig or Pursing of the lips
• Tongue Protrusion or Lip Smacking
• Rapid Eye Movements and Blinking
• Uncontrolled Movements of the Extremities and Fingers

In support of his request for centralization of the New Jersey Reglan cases, Judge Eugene J. Codey, Jr. pointed to potential filing of many additional Reglan lawsuits in New Jersey, as well as the benefits of having all of the cases before one judge in one court to avoid conflicting rulings, scheduling orders, duplicative discovery and to promote the efficient handling of the cases and any potential Reglan settlement.

REGLAN TARDIVE DYSKINESIA ATTORNEYS

While the litigation in New Jersey state court and federally throughout the United States is continuing to move forward, the Reglan attorneys at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are continuing to review potential tardive dyskinesia lawsuits for individuals who believe that they may have developed this movement disorder after using the drug. To review a potential case and determine whether you, a friend or family member may qualify for compensation through a Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuit, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

The various manufacturers of generic metoclopramide, which is still more commonly known by its brand name “Reglan”, have come under increasing fire recently as a result of their failure to warn that using the gastrointestinal drug for more than 12 weeks substantially increases the risk that users will suffer from tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary and repetitive movements of the lower face and limbs.

The first Reglan lawsuit involving tardive dyskinesia was filed more than 20 years ago, and more than 70 cases have been filed in state and federal courts throughout the United States since then.

Last month, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation considered a petition to centralize and consolidate 11 currently pending Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuits before one judge for pretrial litigation to avoid duplicate discovery, inconsistent rulings and serve the convenience of the parties, attorneys and witnesses. However, in an order issued June 3, 2009, the MDL panel denied the transfer request, stating:

On the basis of the papers filed and hearing session held, we are not persuaded that Section 1407 centralization would serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses or further the just and efficient conduct of this litigation at the present time. The eleven actions at issue do share factual issues as to whether the drug metoclopramide causes neurological injuries (principally, tardive dyskinesia). But there is no single common defendant, and some entities, such as Baxter Healthcare Corp., are named in only one or two actions. Moreover, several of the actions appear to be substantially advanced (five were commenced in either 2006 or 2007). Metoclopramide litigation has a lengthy history, and the record indicates that a significant amount of the common discovery has already taken place. The proponents of centralization have failed to convince us that any remaining common questions of fact among these actions are sufficiently complex and/or numerous to justify Section 1407 transfer at this time. Alternatives to transfer exist that may minimize whatever possibilities there might be of duplicative discovery and/or inconsistent pretrial rulings.

REGLAN LAWYERS FOR TARDIVE DYSKINESIA LAWSUITS

This ruling does not impact potential claimants’ ability to pursue compensation against the manufacturers of metoclopramide drugs for failing to warn about the serious and debilitating Reglan side effects. Potential cases are still being reviewed by our Reglan lawyers and individual lawsuits will proceed in various courts throughout the United States.

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia or another neurological disorder after taking Reglan, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>INFORMATION: Reglan Problems

Although Reglan was only established as a safe and effective treatment when used for short-term treatment of no more than 12 weeks, the makers of the brand name drug and metoclopramide generic were aware that many doctors prescribed the medication off-label for substantially longer periods of time.

It has been known for some time that the risk of Reglan tardive dyskinesia problems substantially increases the longer the medication is taken, yet the manufacturers did not fully inform the medical community or patients.

The manufacturers placed their desire for profits ahead of their obligation to provide complete warnings about the safe use of the product. They clearly knew that informing patients and doctors about the devastating problems Reglan can cause when used at high doses or for longer than 12 weeks would negatively impact sales, so they minimized the risk.

Their decision has left thousands of former users of the medication with devastating and socially disabling movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia, which cause constant and uncontrollable movements like:

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

In February 2009, the FDA required that Reglan and all other metoclopramide-containing drugs, which are also marketed as Octamide and Maxolon, carry a “black box” warning about the potential tardive dyskinesia complications when the drug is used for longer periods of time. Hopefully with more complete and prominent warnings, less users of Reglan and generic metoclopramide will suffer from these problems.

REGLAN ATTORNEYS

For individuals who have been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia or another movement disorder, compensation may be available through a Reglan lawsuit. Our attorneys provide free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals throughout the United States and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia from Reglan problems or suffered side effects that resulted in uncontrollable movement disorders, contact our Reglan attorneys to find out if you may qualify for a case.

>>CONTACT A REGLAN LAWYER<<

Side effects of Metoclopramide drugs like Reglan can cause Tardive Dyskinesia, especially when they are used for long periods of time or at high doses.

Although Reglan was only determined to be safe and effective for short-term treatment of 4 to 12 weeks, many people receive the medication for subtantially longer periods of time. The conditions it is used to treat are chronic problems which often require long-term treatment.

The manufacturers of Reglan and generic metoclopramide drugs have failed to adequately study the product they were selling and failed to warn about the substantial risks associated with long-term use, even though they were aware that a large portion of sales involved prescriptions of more than 12 weeks.

The pharmaceutical companies placed profits before patient safety and prevented users from making an informed decision about whether they were willing to accept the risk of Reglan side effects.

On February 26, 2009, the FDA announced that the makers of the gastrointestinal drugs were being required to place a “black box” warning about the Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia risk, which is the strongest warning that can be placed on a medication.

FREE CLAIM EVALUATIONS BY REGLAN ATTORNEYS

For individuals who have taken Reglan or another metoclopramide drug and suffered from an involuntary movement disorder, our Reglan attorneys are providing free consultations and claim evaluations to determine whether compensation may be available.

Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia could include:

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

To review a potential Reglan (Metoclopramide) lawsuit, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

>>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.