Reglan should not be taken if a patient has any of the following conditions:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Congestive heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Parkinson's disease
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• A history of depression

Some minor side effects of taking metoclopramide include involuntary movements of the arms and legs, loud or labored breathing, and intense restlessness with associated symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, foot-tapping, pacing, inability to sit still, jitteriness, and insomnia. It is not recommended that anyone take Reglan for more than a 12 week period.

Reglan has been known to have some more serious side effects as well. These cannot be anticipated, and the drug has been receiving some negative press recently because of this. In addition to severe depression, Reglan may cause symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a disorder that breaks down the central nervous system and often impairs one's motor skills and speech. Reglan may cause Parkinson's-like symptoms such as slow movements, rigidity, tremor, or a mask-like facial appearance. In addition, treatment with Reglan may produce tardive dyskinesia, a serious movement disorder that is often irreversible. Such damage due to use of this drug is found to be more common among the elderly. Tardive dyskinesia is a syndrome of jerky or writhing involuntary movements, particularly of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw. There is no treatment for this disorder.

It is estimated that more than two million people in the United States use products containing metoclopramide. According to the FDA, "recently published analyses suggest that metoclopramide is the most common cause of drug-induced movement disorders." If you or anyone you know is suffering from Tardive dyskinesia or Parkinson's-like symptoms, contact our defective drug lawyer at Atkins & Markoff immediately.