What is Metoclopramide?

Metoclopramide and Tardive Dyskinesia

The active chemical ingredient in Reglan® is called metoclopramide. Metoclopramide use has been linked to a severe neurological disorder known as tardive dyskinesia. Prolonged use of metoclopramide can result in Reglan side effects.

Tardive dyskinesia can affect anyone. Nursing mothers taking the drug can introduce metoclopramide to their infant via breast milk, while some doctors prescribe metoclopramide to young children for upset stomachs.

Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia can include:

• convulsions
• extreme weakness of the arms and legs
• inability to move the eyes
• increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
• severe muscle stiffness
• sticking out of tongue
• trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing
• uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
• unusual facial expressions

If you have any of the following symptoms following Reglan use, our law firm would like to speak with you immediately.

Metoclopramide and Dystonia

In addition to the movement disorder tardive dyskinesia, Reglan has also been linked to dystonia in infants, children, and adults.

Dystonia is a movement disorder that causes the muscles in the body to involuntarily contract and spasm, resulting in painful twisting of the affected part. This can take many different forms, such as:

• painful twisting and turning of the head, usually to one side
• rapid blinking or squinting (sometimes so severe the affected person is functionally blind)
• sharp pain in the hand when performing regular actions (such as writing or typing)
• slurred speech or difficulty swallowing

Dystonia affects more than 300,000 people in North America. There is no known cure. 

Warning Signs

Metoclopramide-induced dystonia does not usually occur overnight. The symptoms appear gradually, may be mild at first, and can include:

• changes in speech patterns, specifically the pitch of the voice
• cramping or fatiguing of hands when writing or typing
• difficulty chewing
• jerky head movements
• stiff neck
• subtle facial or jaw spasms

Reglan-induced dystonia in children may show as cramping in the legs or a foot that turns in, in addition to the symptoms above.