Reglan Victims Can Join The Class Action Lawsuit
Reglan, a prescription drug that is used to treat certain gastrointestinal disorders has been known to cause severe and potentially irreversible side effects for some patients. In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered makers of Reglan and generic versions of the drug, to start including a ‘black-box warning’ on their labels informing consumers of the side effects.
Since then more than 15 lawsuits have been filed in 11 district courts by individuals seeking compensation from drug makers for negative effects stemming from their use of Reglan. The cases are currently in the process of being consolidated into a single class action Reglan lawsuit seeking to hold drug makers responsible for deliberately failing to fully inform consumers about Reglan side-effects despite knowing about them.
Reglan, which is a brand name for metoclopramide, is a drug that is commonly used to treat disorders such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), diabetic gastroparesis, heartburn and nausea. While the drug has been known to be extremely effective in treating such conditions it has also been shown to cause tardive dyskinesia, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of facial muscles and extremities.
Patients afflicted with tardive dyskinesia are prone to uncontrollable grimacing, tongue protrusions, lip smacking, rapid eye blinking and other involuntary movements of the face. In some cases, tardive dyskinesia patients are also prone to rapid, uncontrollable movements of the hands and legs.
There is no known cure for the disorder though research has shown that symptoms of tardive dyskinesia are mitigated somewhat when use of Reglan is stopped. Those believed most vulnerable to Reglan’s side effects are patients who take high doses of the drug for periods lasting more than 12 weeks.
According to the FDA, the elderly, especially elderly women, are most at risk of developing tardive dyskinesia. The medication is approved only for short-term use for periods not lasting more than 12 weeks, but it is often over prescribed by doctors especially in the case of the elderly.
Patients who believe they have been negatively impacted by Reglan can get compensation from the drug makers associated with the medication for their suffering. By contacting a Reglan lawyer, such individuals can quickly find out if they are eligible to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, mental pain and physical suffering. A Reglan attorney can advise such individuals on how to either file a separate compensation claim against an individual drug maker or become part of the broader consolidated class action lawsuit.
Currently, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is considering whether to consolidate the 15 separate lawsuits into one single class-action against the makers of Reglan and its generic counterparts. Wyeth, which is the manufacturer of Reglan, and manufacturers of generic versions such as Baxter, Duramed, Actavis, and Scwarz Pharma have all been trying to stop the consolidation from taking place claiming that it would make it harder for them to arrive at individual settlements.
If you or a loved one has taken Reglan and developed tardive dyskinesia you should contact a Reglan lawyer to learn about possible financial compensation – http://www.reglanadvice.com