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Q. A dear friend was put on Reglan for acid stomach and left on the drug for 9 years. The therapy is only supposed to last a few weeks.
She now has tardive dyskinesia. Her tongue is enlarged and she can no longer speak properly. The side effects did not go away when the drug was stopped. Is there anything that can help her? Please warn your readers about Reglan.
A. Reglan (metoclopramide) was first approved for use in the U.S. in 1980. It is prescribed for digestive tract problems such as reflux, delayed stomach emptying and nausea.
Although doctors were warned early on that this drug could cause a neurological disorder, it took the FDA almost 30 years to issue a black box warning about this complication.
On February 26, 2009, the agency cautioned about metoclopramide: "Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the extremities, or lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, rapid eye movements or blinking, puckering and pursing of the lips, or impaired movement of the fingers. These symptoms are rarely reversible and there is no known treatment. However, in some patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide treatment is stopped."
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This is one great reason that I keep an eye on this site!! Thanks for the heads up. I have been Rxed Protonix for almost 3 yrs for LPR (like GERD only involves the larynx too) and am trying to get off it. Have started the ACV/honey 2-3x day: seems to help. I don't want to take an Rx like this forever and the $$$ is expensive! My dr. keeps pushing using the drugs and scaring me with tales about Barrets Esophagus--and worse, cancer. And now my insurance has "labeled" me b/c of the dx./drug.
Are any other drugs "suspect" in the ppi category?
I am not sure that it is not excess acid But in fact NOT ENOUGH acid.
Thoughts?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: PLEASE NOTE THAT REGLAN (METOCLOPRAMIDE) IS NOT A PPI. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PPIS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TARDIVE DYSKINESIA.
A friend of mine has had trouble with chronic reflux and her GI doctor told her that her endoscopic exam is normal and advised her to take OTC Prilosec or Protonix but after several wks there was not significant improvement. A herbalist told her at the Health Food store to try Tropical Papaya chewable wafers and after two weeks her symptoms had improved and subsided after a month. She has decided to continue on this product for a longer period of time before stopping it.
Does Achiphex have the same side effects? I have been taking it for years for GERD and it it the only thing that works. Does any one know????
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: NO, ACIPHEX IS A PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN LINKED TO THIS TYPE OF SIDE EFFECT.
I can vouch for the papaya. I used to take Tums or Tagamet almost daily. Several years ago, a friend who worked at a natural food store recommended them. Now any time I have heartburn or indigestion, I just eat a few papaya tablets and they almost always solve the problem. Also, I don't have daily symptoms anymore which makes me wonder if the other medications helped to perpetuate my GI problems.
Is Zegerid a PPI?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: YES, ZEGERID INCLUDES BOTH OMEPRAZOLE, AKA PRILOSEC, AND SODIUM BICARBONATE, AKA BAKING SODA.
I am one of those people who gets dyskinesia with one dose of Reglan or Atarax. Both make my damaged brain react terribly with at least one day if not longer with Dyskinesia as an adverse reaction. I had dyskinesia and dystonia before I first discovered this link to both drugs but didn't know about tardive dyskinesia. It affects my entire body by making me have involuntary muscle movement of my face, tongue, lips, hands, feet, arms and legs. It makes me feel totally out of control. I now have it listed as an allergy just to prevent doctor from prescribing it without me knowing about it. I am frequently hospitalized due to multiple neurological problems.
I have been told a dill pickle a day will keep heart burn away. I have had reasonably good results, maybe. Is there anything to this?
Chuck
Terry, Joe,
Do you know why Reglan can causes TD? Also, I've heard that the risk is greater in older women? Any idea why? Also, are there are drugs similar to Reglan that do not have the risk of this terrible side effect?
Thanks, ME
Sometimes drugs are pushed too much. Know your body and reactions. I have Gerd. I also have allergies which account for most of my reactions. I try natural ways when all possible. I am over 60 and do not take any medications at all. I hope to keep it this way. I do watch what I eat, take vitamins, never smoked, drink wine occasionally. Leading a healthy lifestyle has helped for years.
I still react with acid reflux if I eat too much, lie down too soon. So far though, thank God, I am OK. I hope everyone here finds their way to health. Our bodies were not meant to be on drugs for years. Short periods are fine. Be proactive in your health with your doctor.
Best of health to all.
Samatha
PS I failed to mention, I get taken for someone in my forties. Vitamins do help.