I Am Reglan Tardive Dyskinesia

Washington, DCI am tardive dyskenesia. And I can be your worst nightmare. Some people call me Reglan tardive dyskinesia, which is a misnomer because such a condition does not exist. What people do however is put one of the alleged triggers of tardive dyskinesia together with the grievous condition. The result is the combination of Reglan and tardive dyskinesia.

I am tardive dyskinesia and you don't want me around. That's because few want to be around anyone, of whom I have taken control.

My name is tardive dyskenesia. And I will make your life hell. You think you're nervous now, as you face the crowds behind the retail counter or address the convention attendees from the lectern?

When I come to haunt you, there is no invisibility. My presence is there for the entire world to see, through your face and your movements. The lip smacking, grimacing and the tongue protrusion. I know you feel badly and you're horrified at the reaction of onlookers. But that's what I do.

Reglan neurological side effects could happen to you

It wasn't always like this, was it? Metoclopramide did the deed. That's Reglan, which now carries a black box warning at the behest of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for concern over tardive dyskinesia when used long-term (longer than 3 months).

Reglan side effects are also an issue with infants, who often suffer from digestive issues early in life. Two-thirds of infants suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GER) during the first year of life. A more serious, pathological condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects one in 300 infants.

Doctors will treat GER and GERD with fairly conservative methods. However, should those treatments fail a doctor will often prescribe a prokinetic such as Reglan for a short period. Short, because I tend to appear the longer Reglan is in use. And much as I would be happy to oblige, you don't want me hanging around your baby because I may never go away.

That can happen. While Reglan is in your body and serves as an invitation for me to come calling, I'm not going to necessarily leave when Reglan vacates. I may like my host too much to move on. And so I stay while you move—involuntarily—to the surprise of your friends, the devastation of your family and the horror and disbelief of your peers. I may weaken and disappear over time, when Reglan is stopped.

But then, I might not. And your job, your career may be in jeopardy. Your life may be forever altered by Reglan side effects.