Understanding Reglan and Tardive Dyskinesia

Miami, FLOn the list of Reglan side effects to worry about, Reglan tardive dyskinesia probably was not the first spring to mind. Unfortunately, people who have used Reglan for long periods now face the possibility that they may suffer a lifetime of tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary—and embarrassing—muscle movements.

Tardive Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia involves involuntary, repetitive movements that often resemble tics. The involuntary movements frequently occur in the face—including grimacing, lip-smacking, tongue protrusion, repetitive chewing, rapid eye movements, blinking and jaw swinging. However, the movements can also occur in the patient's arms, fingers, hips, torso, legs and toes. The reason the condition is called tardive dyskinesia is because the "tardive" refers to the tendency of the condition to be delayed, meaning that people who have discontinued their medication may still develop or continue to experience the disorder, even long after they stopped their medication.

People who experience tardive dyskinesia—a permanent condition—say that it affects their ability to carry out normal day-to-day functions. The involuntary movement of their limbs (especially their hands) makes cooking, cleaning, eating and drinking incredibly difficult. The involuntary movement in their facial muscles, which is often noticeable to other people, is embarrassing and can cause people with tardive dyskinesia to withdraw and isolate themselves for fear of further embarrassment.

Reglan and Tardive Dyskinesia

In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the long-term use of metaclopramide (Reglan) and the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia. Reglan is only meant to be used for short-term treatment—no longer than three months—of digestive and gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis. However, some people were prescribed Reglan repeatedly over a multiple-year period. This exposure to Reglan may have resulted in them developing tardive dyskinesia.

According to reports, tardive dyskinesia is caused by damage to a person's systems that use and/or process dopamine. Dopamine is a substance that is produced in the brain and works with the brain to regulate movement in the body. When dopamine receptors are blocked, the dopamine remains in the synapse (which transmits and receives nerve impulses) for too long. This could be what results in tardive dyskinesia in some patients.

Reglan is a dopamine receptor antagonist, which means it blocks dopamine receptors, possibly causing the dopamine to remain in the synapse for too long. This could be why long-term use of Reglan can result in the development of tardive dyskinesia.