Reglan Not the Only Metoclopramide Medication Linked to TD
When it comes to the gastroesophogeal prescription medication known as metoclopramide, information commonly found about it is usually associated with the gastrointestinal drug Reglan. However, it should be known that Reglan is not the only metoclopramide drug on the market that is linked with its adverse side effects.
Metoclopramide was first introduced to the market in the 1960s. Back then it was known to help stop vomiting and decrease acid buildup. It was approved by the FDA in 1985 as a short-term treatment of diabetic gastroparesis as well as GERD. It is still used for those treatments. In 1999, the brand name metoclopramide drug Reglan hit the market and was approved quickly; however, the drug has also been associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD).
This isn’t new information; scientists have long known that metoclopramide can cause TD. That is why the drug was only approved as a short-term (no more than 12 weeks) treatment in the first place. The problem is that most patients had taken it for far longer than that (months to even years) before the FDA finally issued a black box warning against such prolonged uses.
While Reglan is the most-commonly-used version of metoclopramide, it isn’t the only one. Other forms of metoclopramide used in hospitals include: Metozolv ODT, Maxolon and Octamide. These are just brand name versions of metoclopramide. There are various generic versions out as well. All of these brands also include TD risks; Maxolon was discontinued.
Generic versions of the drug cause the same risks as Reglan and the other brand name. However, the Supreme Court recently ruled that lawsuits can’t be filed against generic manufacturers. That means little as many Reglan victims are now adjusting their lawsuits to file against the brand name manufacturers instead. All is not lost for patients suffering from TD caused by Reglan use, and the drug companies will not get away with it. Patients should know that if they took Maxolon or Octamide they may have liability lawsuits as well.
