Former Reglan Patient Says "Listen to Your Body"

Queens, NYPamela W. says she is not certain that the eye twitching she experienced after taking Reglan was related to the link between Reglan and tardive dyskinesia. However, she reports that the eye twitching has improved since she stopped taking the medication. Pamela took herself off Reglan when she felt she was suffering too many Reglan side effects.

"It wasn't that I was going through anything dramatic or traumatic, but I was having abdominal problems," Pamela says. "I was getting nausea, vomiting and upset stomach. I felt I had to be taken off Reglan because of my prior stomach problems."

According to Pamela, she was given Reglan on and off for a couple of years as a treatment for gastric reflux. Anytime she saw a new doctor, which happened frequently because of a move from Las Vegas to New York, the new physician wanted her to try Reglan again.

"Everybody said the same thing—there are lesser problems with stomach upsets for Reglan than the other medications," Pamela says. "Different doctors tried different things, but they all wanted to try Reglan. Doctors have this ability to say they know better than we do, but I know my body and I know how I felt."

Pamela says she noticed problems with facial twitching after she took Reglan. These problems included annoying and sometimes painful spasms around her eyes and mouth. These issues have lessened since she stopped taking Reglan, but Pamela says she is not certain the twitching was related to the medication.

It was a couple of years ago that Pamela decided to stop taking Reglan because of the stomach problems. She says it was her decision, not her doctor's.

"I said to the doctor, 'I listened to you when you said there were fewer problems with this drug. There are too many problems for me, so we are going to stop,' Pamela says.

In February 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that Reglan and drugs containing metoclopramide should not be used for longer than 3 months. Reglan was approved for the short-term treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, however the FDA notes that frequent and/or long-term use of the medication is linked to tardive dyskinesia, a condition marked by involuntary movements.

Those involuntary movements include facial twitching, tongue protrusion and rapid movements of the limbs.

Patients who report possible Reglan side effects to LawyersandSettlements say the involuntary movements embarrass them, sometimes to the point that they are unwilling to leave their home to avoid embarrassment. Some patients say they are not sure they have tardive dyskinesia, but believe they might, based on descriptions of the condition.

Michael writes that he took Reglan for over a year and believes he has tardive dyskinesia. Although he has stopped taking Reglan, he still suffers from possible side effects, including, "Uncontrollable tongue twitching, finger tapping, insomnia, restless legs, leg numbness and shortness of breath." Michael writes that his involuntary movements embarrass him and his family.

Meanwhile, Kay writes that her mother has tardive dyskinesia and has taken Reglan. Her mother's side effects include, "Involuntary jaw movements, grimacing, slobbering, stuttering, swollen tongue, hand movements [that resemble] Parkinson's Disease, falling, eye blinking and depression."

Although Reglan is only approved for short-term use, it is not illegal for doctors to prescribe it for longer periods. However, longer use of Reglan is associated with an increased risk of adverse events.

"People should listen to their body, not just their doctor," Pamela says. "The doctor is an expert, so you should listen to the doctor, of course, but pay attention to your body, too. Don't just listen to the doctor if you know something is wrong."