Motion Filed to Consolidate Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia Lawsuits
The plaintiffs in all of the known tardive dyskinesia lawsuits filed against the makers of Reglan and other Metoclopramide-containing drugs, have filed a motion with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to transfer the actions from different federal courts throughout the country to the District of Nevada for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings.
Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug which is only approved for short-term use to treat gastrointestinal disorders like diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesphageal reflux (GERD) and delayed gastric emptying. However, because those conditions are usually chronic problems, it is often prescribed for longer periods of time.
All of the Reglan tardive dyskinesia lawsuits involve allegations that the manufacturers failed to adequately investigate and study their drugs or warn about potential metoclopramide side effects which could lead to the development of permanent movement disorders or ticks, especially when the drug is used for more than 12 weeks and at high doses.
Did You Know?
Millions of Philips CPAP Machines Recalled
Philips DreamStation, CPAP and BiPAP machines sold in recent years may pose a risk of cancer, lung damage and other injuries.
Learn MoreTardive dyskinesia is a neurological disorder that is associated with repetitive and involuntary movements of the lower face and limbs, such as smacking or pursing of the lips, chewing, grimacing, rapid eye movements and impaired finger movements.
There is no known effective treatment for tardive dyskinesia, and the movement problems can be permanent and continue even after the drug is stopped.
The Motion to Transfer filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation indicates that there are currently 15 different lawsuits over metoclopramide filed in at least 11 different districts.
In February 2009, the FDA indicated that they are requiring the manufacturers of Reglan and other metoclopramide drugs to add a “black box” tardive dyskinesia warning to a prominent position on the drugs’ labels. In addition, all patients will be provided with a medication guide that fully informs them about the risk before they decide to start taking the medication.
It is expected that the FDA announcement will lead to an influx of Reglan lawsuits that will be spread throughout the United States.
The plaintiffs have requested that an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, be formed to allow the cases to be handled in a coordinated manner by one court during pretrial litigation.
“Transfer of the (Reglan lawsuits) to one forum for coordinated and/or consolidated pretrial proceedings would eliminate duplicative discovery, avoid conflicting rulings and schedules, save time and effort for the parties, the attorneys, the witnesses and the courts, and otherwise promote the just and efficient prosecution of all actions,” argued the lawyers for the plaintiffs in their petition.
If the motion is granted, the MDL Panel could choose from a number of different courts to consolidate the Reglan litigation in. There are currently 3 pending cases each in the Western District of Kentucky and the Northern District of Texas, with one case each in the District of Nevada, Western District of Arkansas, Eastern District of Tennessee, District of Vermont, District of South Carolina, Western District of Oklahoma, Central District of California, Northern District of Georgia and the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The plaintiffs proposed that the lawsuits be transferred to the District of Nevada, because Judge James C. Mahan, the judge who is currently presiding over the one case pending in that district, is familiar with the facts of the litigation and has made steady progress in discovery in that case for over one year.
The Las Vegas court has also been suggested as a convenient, centralized and efficient jurisdiction, where Judge Mahan is not currently burdened with presiding over any other MDL dockets.
Get more articles like this sent directly to your inbox.
"*" indicates required fields
6 Comments
DanielleJune 15, 2011 at 3:48 am
Reglan was a wicked drug. I took it for Gasteoparisis due to type one Diabetes for several years. My feet continue to move` always twitching.. I was fortunate for the shakes and tremors in my shoulder and face have subsided. My speech is slurrly from it. I think most of the drugs pushed on us in the 90's had some serious side effects we still haven't identified especially nerve related drugs [Show More]Reglan was a wicked drug. I took it for Gasteoparisis due to type one Diabetes for several years. My feet continue to move` always twitching.. I was fortunate for the shakes and tremors in my shoulder and face have subsided. My speech is slurrly from it. I think most of the drugs pushed on us in the 90's had some serious side effects we still haven't identified especially nerve related drugs including Depakote and Neurontin which made me have so many seizures-I lost ten years of my life to these and other supposeldly therapeutic drugs that put me in bed for three years.
ViettaFebruary 22, 2010 at 7:30 am
I have suffered so much as a result of this drug. I have spent a lot of money trying to find out what was the problem and ease symptoms. I've taken many medications in attempt to ease symptoms without success. Many of the medications prescribed to ease the symptoms, my insurance would not cover. Some of the Neurological testing was also not covered by my insurance provider which put heavy financia[Show More]I have suffered so much as a result of this drug. I have spent a lot of money trying to find out what was the problem and ease symptoms. I've taken many medications in attempt to ease symptoms without success. Many of the medications prescribed to ease the symptoms, my insurance would not cover. Some of the Neurological testing was also not covered by my insurance provider which put heavy financial burden on my family that is still affecting us today. After a colonoscopy I was diagnoised with a diabetic related stomach illness. I took this medication from 2004 - 2007. Months into taking the medication I just didn't feel like myself. I had NO idea it could be the medication. My memory and recalling simple words were becoming very difficult. I began having twitching in my legs and face. I found it impossible to sleep and still do today. I have NOT had a night's sleep since before Reglan which has NEVER been a problem before. My symptoms worsend. I had feelings of nausea, dizziness, anxiousness, I became withdrawn with some personality changes that was very noticable by family and friends. My face movements became more aggressive. Not all the time but very noticable and more often. I began falling and once resulted in a trip to the emergency room with possible wrist fracture. I still have ocassional imbalance and falling. I am never still unless I am asleep which is not for very long. My face twitches and my leg are in agony with pain, fatigue and heaviness most of the time from constant movement and my hands also. There are times when I rock from side to side, shake my feet, and clack my teeth together. Another miserable symptom among many, is elevated body heat and sweating which keeps me from sleeping even with a/c and eletric fan blowing at the same time. This is a horrible way to live. No one should suffer like this at the fault of someone else. When told by my Primary Care Physician and Neurologist that there is no cure and no information on the possibilities of my symptons becoming better and/or worse as the years pass. I became depressed and unconsolable. I pray that a cure will come soon.
JanetJuly 30, 2009 at 5:46 pm
In Mar, 2007 I was prescribed Reglan for my Chrons when Zelnorm was discontinued. At the same time I started experiencing problems w/my menstrual cycle. My Dr. treated me for peri-menopause and PMMD disorder and put me on depression and anxiety medicine (I had no previous history of anxiety and depression) but I kept getting worse not better. By June 08 I literally wanted to drive my car off a bri[Show More]In Mar, 2007 I was prescribed Reglan for my Chrons when Zelnorm was discontinued. At the same time I started experiencing problems w/my menstrual cycle. My Dr. treated me for peri-menopause and PMMD disorder and put me on depression and anxiety medicine (I had no previous history of anxiety and depression) but I kept getting worse not better. By June 08 I literally wanted to drive my car off a bridge. For 18 long months it was like that. I didn't figure it out until I changed the time of day I took the Reglan. Then I looked up the side effects and immediately stopped it. I got to feeling a lot better but it took another 4 mos. to cycle off all the other drugs I was on.
AyanaJuly 27, 2009 at 6:03 pm
In 2001 I was taken Reglan. Not understanding the issues that I currently have today that they were linked to this medication. I've had headaches, what feels like muscle tightening in my neck. The facial ticks get worse and worse. The tongue and jaw chewing. My doctor thought it was sention. I've been to physical therapy to see if stretching the neck muscle. Didn't happen. My eyes. I'm constantly [Show More]In 2001 I was taken Reglan. Not understanding the issues that I currently have today that they were linked to this medication. I've had headaches, what feels like muscle tightening in my neck. The facial ticks get worse and worse. The tongue and jaw chewing. My doctor thought it was sention. I've been to physical therapy to see if stretching the neck muscle. Didn't happen. My eyes. I'm constantly blinking. Sometimes if I'm doing something: writing, reading anything the neck spasms get so bad I stop what I'm doing because I feel like I can't get it in control. Not being able to sleep, I can't take this. I have not been on this medication in over 7 years, but it seems as though I'm gonna have to live with this for the rest of my life. This is misserable. The line of work I'm in Medical transportation, I'm in the public eye. I deal with vendors, I drive most times. Now, I stay in the office and work. I don't trust myself with all these issues to be responsible for others lives if Im driving them.
marcieJuly 6, 2009 at 7:01 pm
my mom took this awful medication for over two years, she started chewing her tounge , her whole face has a different look her hands shake all the time .she can no longer wear her dentures because of the smaking of her lips. she's tired and sleeps a lot. she has leg pain also .
KimberlyMay 8, 2009 at 4:15 am
I had Gastric Bypass 01/03/2006. I was prescribed this medication. I have taken it on and off this entire time. I have serious twitching in my face. My eyes, My lips, etc. It is very embarassing and sometimes so bad that I have to stop what I am doing. I thought maybe it was just stress. I don't know. I should have had it checked out. It isn't all the time but it is often. I am very scared to thin[Show More]I had Gastric Bypass 01/03/2006. I was prescribed this medication. I have taken it on and off this entire time. I have serious twitching in my face. My eyes, My lips, etc. It is very embarassing and sometimes so bad that I have to stop what I am doing. I thought maybe it was just stress. I don't know. I should have had it checked out. It isn't all the time but it is often. I am very scared to think that this is something that will never go away. UGH!!