Reglan Dangers

Chronic Use of Reglan Dangers

The potential for Reglan® side effects increases with the dosage and the duration of use. People who take Reglan in large amounts for extended periods of time may increase their risk of the severe side effects.

Reglan lawsuits have been filed as a result of drug-related side effects including:

Central Nervous System

Restlessness, drowsiness, and fatigue occurred in about 10 percent of people using the most commonly prescribed dosage of Reglan (10mg). Reglan users have reported insomnia, headaches, confusion, dizziness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Seizures and hallucinations may also occur in users.

Extrapyramidal Reactions

Extrapyramidal reactions (EPS) are serious side effects that can occur from Reglan use, such as acute dystonia, a neurological movement disorder that causes the muscles in the body to contract in an abnormal and often painful manner.

Symptoms of acute dystonia in metoclopramide users include:

• bridging of the spine and head
• facial grimacing
• high-pitched sound coming from the airway
• inability to open mouth
• involuntary movements of the body
• rotation of the eyes or the eyes getting “stuck” staring upwards or downwards
• shortness of breath
• twisting and turning of the head to one side or forwards and backwards

Tardive dyskinesia, another severe neurological condition associated with Reglan use, has similar symptoms:

• finger flicking
• jaw movements (appears as a chewing or side-to-side jaw motion)
• rapid eye blinking
• repetitive, involuntary twisting movements of the arms, legs, fingers, or toes
• smacking, puckering, and pursing of the lips
• sticking the tongue in and out (tongue protrusion)
• swaying movements of the trunk or hips (pelvic thrusting or twisting)
• uncontrolled grimacing

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

Reglan has also been linked to a rare but serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). It usually develops with muscular cramps and fever and progresses into delirium and coma. NMS can be fatal.

Endocrine Problems

Reglan may cause endocrine system problems such as the spontaneous flow of milk from the breasts, the absence of a menstrual period in women of menstruating age, and the development of abnormally large breasts in men.

Cardiovascular Complications

Cardiovascular issues may result from the use of metoclopramide, such as low or high blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate, fluid retention, and heart failure.

Gastrointestinal Disturbances

Nausea and diarrhea may result from Reglan use.

Hepatic Considerations

Hepatoxicity, or chemical damage to the liver, has occurred in metoclopramide users. Symptoms of hepatoxicity include jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and can be confirmed with liver function tests. Some patients have also reported frequent urination and incontinence (involuntary urine leakage) after taking Reglan.