Tips for Reglan

More than 2 million Americans use Raglan, a metoclopramide for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. It works by increasing the movement of stomach muscles and speed the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. But high doses of Metclopramide or prolonged use of Metclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia can cause involuntary movements like lip smaking, body extremities, rapid eye movements, impaired finger movements, etc. This can prevent you from functioning as a normal human being.

Reglan was cleared for sale by the Food and Drug Administration in 1985. Ever since its release it has been used by millions of consumers across theUnited Statesfor treating gastrointestinal disorders. 24 years later in 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a black box warning on Reglan – just one step short of taking the drug off the market.

When you buy a pharmaceutical product, you would generally expect it to be fit for its intended use. The manufacturer has a legal obligation to issue a warning informing the consumers about possible side effects if the product has any side effects. A pharmaceutical product has to pass through many tests before it is made available in the market. The consumer generally assumes that the drug has been through all the required tests when it is introduced in the market. If the drug has any likely side effects, the manufacturer must warn the consumer about the likely side effects. Generally the doctor prescribing the drug and the drug manufacturer generally knows the risk associated with the drug which the consumer is generally unaware of. In the modern commercial world, the manufacturer is expected to be fair and provide a full disclosure to the consumer. As a norm, manufacturers of therapeutic drugs, vaccines, medical care, consumer appliances, pesticides, and cigarettes therapeutic drugs, vaccines, medical care, consumer appliances, pesticides, and cigarettes are expected to provide detailed warnings about the side effects and dangers of the product.

The manufacturer is under an obligation to warn consumers of the dangers of an “unavoidably unsafe product.” You can sue the manufacturer for damages if you suffer from any harm by consuming a product that lacked a warning that would have enabled you to make a truly informed choice. The absence of such warning is tantamount to putting an “unreasonably dangerous product” on the market.

Product liability law deals with the liability of the manufacturer and other involved in the distribution of a defective product. The manufacturer must warn you of dangers inherent in the use of its product of which it knows or has reason to know. A simple warning will not suffice. The law requires the warning to be an adequate warning. The manufacturer has a continuous duty to warn the consumer of dangers that is known to the manufacturer at the time of sale and also any danger that the manufacturer subsequently becomes aware of after the product is sold.

There was no such warning on Reglan about the possible side effects. No subsequent warning were issued by the manufacturer until 24 years after its launch. If you are suffering from the side effects of Reglan, consult with with a personal injury attorney. You may have a claim for compensation under product liability laws.