Reglan has been prescribed for the treatment of heartburn after eating, gastroparesis, certain digestive disorders, nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness in pregnant women. However, due to studies and reports over recent years linking Reglan (or its generic counterpart, metoclopramide) to Tardive Dyskinesia, a number of lawsuits have been filed against these drug manufacturers.

Tardive Dyskinesia is an involuntary muscle movement disorder that can affect the muscles in the face, arms, legs and overall body. Due to an increased rate of incidences, the Food and Drug Administration required the manufacturers of Reglan to carry a black box warning on their label and/or package insert emphasizing the risks of developing Tardive Dyskinesia when using the drug. The black box warning also indicates that this serious movement disorder could be irreversible, and that use for over three months should be avoided.

While litigation involving Reglan and its generic counterpart has been in existence for several years, only until recently have successive trial dates been set. From April, 2010 through January, 2011 there have been 14 trials set across the country in various states such as Alabama, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, West Virginia, South Carolina, Texas and California. On the 19^th of this month, this group of trial settings will begin in Birmingham, Alabama. More trials are likely to be set during this same time frame as well. Based on the strong evidence regarding these drug companies’ negligence and failure to warn of the risks associated with Reglan, the victims in these cases are expected to obtain favorable outcomes in all of the cases set for trial. If you need more information on Reglan Litigation contact Navan Ward in our Mass Torts Section at 800-898-2034 or by email at Navan.Ward@beasleyallen.com.