subject: Tardive Dyskinesia And Its Link To Gerd Drugs [print this page] Tardive Dyskinesia And Its Link To Gerd Drugs
Tardive dyskinesia is a disruptive disorder that causes abnormal and uncontrollable movements of a patient's facial muscles, especially muscles in the lower portion of the face, as well as other parts of the body. All forms of dyskinesia cause repetitive and involuntary movements, but tardive dyskinesia can be one of the most difficult forms to treat. A cure is currently unknown, and it can be very difficult to stop symptoms or reverse the disorder.Most cases are seen as side effects from taking prolonged or high doses of anti-psychotic drugs such as Haloperidol. However there is a much more commonly prescribed medication that has been recently linked to this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder drug Reglan was recently shown, by testing and a warning issued by the FDA, to have a risk of causing tardive dyskinesia in patients taking it. Elderly people and patients taking the drug for longer than 3 months are at the most risk for developing the disorder, but anyone taking Reglan is at risk.Warnings have recently been added to explain the side effects of Reglan, including tardive dyskinesia. This condition can be very disruptive to anyone's life. Movements often include rapid blinking, grimacing, repetitive chewing or teeth grinding, jaw movements, thrusting the tongue out of the mouth, and lip smacking. Patients with the disorder are completely helpless to stop these movements, as they are totally involuntary. It can be very embarrassing and disruptive in a professional environment, and even leaving the home can become a challenge.Feelings of tension, discomfort, and anxiety arise when a person with the disorder attempts to stay still, until they simply must move. The movements are jerky, repetitive, and uncoordinated. Another common symptom is having difficulty in moving the fingers. This can ruin fine motor skills if it becomes severe. This in turn can lead to an inability to perform crucial functions for a job requiring sophisticated motor skills.Reglan is often prescribed to patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Many physicians have decided to keep patients on this drug for much longer than the recommended time, due to a perceived lack of side effects. However Reglan side effects for long term use are serious, and patients should not take this drug for more than 3 months at a time, no matter how severe their GERD has become.The treatment for tardive dyskinesia is most commonly a low dose of a neuroleptic to help limit the amount of unwanted movement. Patients should also immediately stop taking any drugs, including Reglan, if they begin to experience symptoms of the disorder. Stopping the administration of the drug causing the disorder can slow it's development and limit it's severity.If you or a family member has been recently diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia after being prescribed Reglan, you should contact a Reglan attorney immediately. You may have rights to receive compensation for medical bills or lost wages due to the condition you've developed, but only a Reglan lawyer can help you determine where your best course of action lies.
