Tardive Dyskinesia - What is it?

Tardive dyskinesia is a variety of dyskinesia (involuntary, repetitive movements) manifesting as a side effect of long-term or high-dose use of dopamine antagonists, usually antipsychotics. Other dopamine antagonists that can cause tardive dyskinesia are drugs for gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. metoclopramide) and neurological disorders. While newer atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine and risperidone appear to have less dystonic effects, only clozapine has been shown to have a lower risk of tardive dyskinesia than older antipsychotics.

Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by repetitive, involuntary, purposeless movements. Features of the disorder may include grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing of the lips, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the extremities may also occur. Impaired movements of the fingers may also appear. For comparison, patients with Parkinson's disease have difficulty moving, while patients with tardive dyskinesia have difficulty not moving.

Reglan, also known as metoclopramide, is indicated for the treatment of a number of gastrointestinal disorders, heartburn, acid reflux and diabetic gastroparesis. When injected, Reglan helps prevent chemotherapy-related and postoperative-related nausea and vomiting. The drug may also facilitate small bowel intubation. Long term use of Reglan has been linked to tardive dyskinesia, which may include involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, even after the drugs are no longer taken. The development of this condition is directly related to the length of time a patient is taking Reglan and the number of doses taken. Those at greatest risk include the elderly, especially older women, children and people who have been on the drug for a long time.

See your doctor if you have experienced serious health problems after taking Reglan. If you have been diagnosed with Tardive dyskinesia (TD) or have symptoms as described above, then call us to discuss your legal rights in products liability lawsuit against the makers of this drug and for their failure to warn of the horrible side effects associated with Reglan. Lawsuit filing deadlines do apply, so don't delay.

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