Reglan Movement Disorder Lawsuit Filed in Texas

Three Texas residents have filed a Reglan lawsuit alleging that side effects of the acid reflux drug caused them to develop serious movement disorders, such as tardive dyskinesia and drug-induced Parkinson’s disease.

The complaint was filed on February 23 by Ronald Cherry, Donnie Collins and J.E. Godwin in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division. The lawsuit names generic Reglan manufacturers Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pliva Inc., Barr Laboratories Inc. Watson Laboratories Inc. and Richmond Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as defendants.

Cherry and Godwin allege that they developed tardive dyskinesia from Reglan after long-term use of the medication. Cherry took Reglan for about 10 years, and Godwin took the drug for about a year and a half.

Collins claims that Reglan side effects not only caused him to suffer tardive dyskinesia after about a year and a half of taking the drug, but also alleges that he developed drug-induced Parkinson’s disease from Reglan and Orobuccolingual dyskinesia. 

Reglan, which is known generically as metoclopramide, is approved for short-term treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, such as diabetic gastroparesis, gastroesphageal reflux (GERD) and delayed gastric emptying. However, given the chronic persistent nature of those ailments, many doctors prescribed Reglan or generic equivalents for longer periods of time.

A growing number of Reglan movement disorder lawsuits have been filed throughout the country by former users of the drug who allege that the drug makers failed to adequately research the side effects of metoclopramide or warn about the risk associated with long-term use.

Most Reglan lawsuits have been filed over the development of tardive dyskinesia, which can include symptoms such as grimacing, chewing, smacking of the lips, rapid eye movements and impaired finger movements. There is no known effective treatment for the disorder and the involuntary movements often become permanent, persisting even after use of Reglan has stopped.

Parkinson’s Disease is caused by the death of dopamine-producing cells and causes severe tremors, limb rigidity and other symptoms. The progressive neurodegenerative disease is eventually fatal and about 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with the condition each year, with about 1 million Americans currently suffering from the ailment.