Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological disorder for which there is currently no cure. Many patients who develop the condition are taking the acid reflux drug Reglan. While TD can be treated in its early stages by patients stopping the medication, prolonged use of these drugs can lead to patients suffering from TD permanently.
When the TD is caused by Reglan, it is usually after the prolonged use has already taken place. The FDA doesn’t recommend patients using Reglan for periods lasting longer than 12 weeks, but the drug is often prescribed to patients for a significantly longer period than that. Many of those patients develop TD in its late onset period, which means that it can not be cured by patients simply stopping Reglan treatment.
TD in its late stages generally occurs after months of trouble-free use. In some cases, the TD develops after the patient stopped taking the medication. If the patient continues to experience TD symptoms for six months or longer, it is generally considered a permanent condition by then. At this point, patients just have to live with the condition, with no hope for a cure. The symptoms of TD include:
- Involuntary movements of the extremities
- Lip smacking
- Tongue protruding
- Grimacing
- Blinking, eye rolling
- Painful walking, muscle spasms
- Vocal tics
TD can be a very debilitating condition to live with on a daily basis. This is why so many Reglan patients seek compensation for their conditions by filing lawsuits against the makers of the drug. If you have experienced any of these symptoms, or if you have been diagnosed with TD after using Reglan, it may be time for you to speak to an attorney who may be able to help you get compensation to help cover your medical costs and treatments. With no cure for TD currently available, you have nothing to lose in seeking advice.
