Reglan can be a life changing drug for those who use it to treat acid reflux disease. It might also be the drug for you. However, before taking it, you should know about its advantages and disadvantages. Reglan is not for everybody, but it can be a great match for you if you are looking for treatment options for acid reflux disease.
In this article you will learn just how this drug works, and a few tips on helping you figure out if it is the right choice for you. Of course, only your medical professional will be able to decide if you should truly try taking it.
The way Reglan, which in its generic form is called Metoclopramide, works is actually very simple. It is usually taken orally and helps to speed up the contractions of your upper digestive tract, allowing your stomach to be able to empty into your intestines at a much faster rate.
One of the stipulations of Reglan useage at this time is that it can only be taken for the short term. It cannot be taken for longer than three months. When it is taken regularly before meals, most people experience great relief from symptoms of acid reflux disease as well as some other stomach conditions.
You should not take Reglan if you have certain stomach or intestinal problems such as bleeding, a perforation, or a blockage. If you have epilepsy, or an adrenal gland tumor, this drug is not for you. Many other diseases of the digestive system might prevent you from being able to take Reglan.
Consult your doctor and alert him or her to any problems in your medical history. Reglan is prescribed by a doctor, so you will not be able to get it, or try to take it without a doctor's consultation first. If you take it as directed for three months or less, there is a low chance that you will experience any side effects. However, there are a problems that you should be aware of.
Some of the disadvantages of this powerful drug are the very serious side effects that are experienced by some patients. These include tremors or seizures, fluid retention, hallucinations, agitation, depression, fever, rapid heartbeat, and jaundice. However, these are the most severe reactions and you should talk to your doctor and stop taking Reglan if any of them occur. It is important that a doctor help monitor the stoppage, because you will probably get withdrawal symptoms.
Some of the less serious side effects are fatigue, sleeping problems, nausea, diarrhea, and a few others that may mildly affect you during your usage of Reglan. It can harm a nursing baby through the mother's breast milk, but it's not expected to harm unborn fetuses. Be sure and talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects.
If you are or are planning on becoming pregnant, do not take Reglan. You certainly don't want to harm your nursing infant or take a chance on the health of your unborn baby. As always, consult your doctor about any other prescription or over the counter medications and drugs that you might be taking at the same time you are taking or plan to use Reglan.
If you or a person you love has been prescribed this drug and has experienced some of the more disturbing side effects such as repetitive smacking of the lips, grimacing, or puckering of the lips, this could be a permanent and serious condition called tardive dyskinesia. It causes abnormal muscle movements of the hands and legs, frowning, protrusion of the tongue, and rapid blinking and eye movements.
Since this is a permanent condition, and one which the FDA has recognized is caused by misuse of the drug, in such serious cases you should consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss how to proceed. There are actually lawyers who specialize in cases of Reglan abuse and it is in your best interests to find one to represent you and obtain monetary compensation for the suffering this drug has caused.
Nick Messe is the founder and president of Lead Frog LLC. If you or a loved one has taken Reglan and developed tardive dyskinesia you should contact a
Reglan attorney to learn about possible financial compensation - http://www.reglanadvice.com
