CSS Firm Ready for Reglan/Metoclopramide Jury Trial Involving Woman’s Development of Tardive Dyskinesia

CSS Firm will represent Susan Swicegood in a jury trial involving the drug Reglan/metoclopramide that will be held during the week of July 26, 2010.  The case is Susan Swicegood v. Pliva et. al. in the United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division.

The lawsuit alleges that the drug makers and marketers of Reglan/metoclopramide failed to adequately warn physicians of the long-term dangers associated with taking the drug, specifically, the neurological disorder tardive dyskinesia.

Reglan and its generic equivalent, metoclopromide, are used to treat nausea and acid reflux among other stomach disorders. The complaint alleges that Ms. Swicegood’s doctor prescribed 10mg Reglan to be taken 4 times daily. Ms Swicegood took metoclopromide and developed, tardive dyskinesia, a permanent movement disorder as a result.

Tardive dyskinesia is a disorder of the nerves in which involuntary, repetitive movements develop in the lower portion of the face and in limbs. Common symptoms include unintentional grimacing, chewing, lip smacking, rapid eye movements and impaired movements in fingers. These involuntary movements may become permanent with no known effective treatments available.

Previous and Pending Reglan lawsuits, which now total over 500 filed, prompted the FDA to change requirements in the labeling of the drug in February 2009 to account for the increased risk of developing tardive dyskinesia from Reglan/metoclopramide use. New rules included a “Black Box” warning about the potential risk of tardive dyskinesia from long-term use. However, the suit alleges that the Physician’s Desk Reference used by Ms. Swicegood’s doctor was not updated with the new warnings as required by law.  As a result, neither the patient nor her doctor understood the true risk of taking or prescribing the drug.

The Reglan lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. The Defendant in the case is Pliva, Inc. The Civil Action File Number is 1:07-CV-1671. Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC will conduct the Reglan/metoclopramide jury trial with its nationally renowned co-counsel of Daniel J. McGlynn of McGlynn, Glisson, and Mouton Law Firm and Bill Curtis of Miller, Curtis & Weisbrod, LLP.

Please note that CSS is no longer pursuing Reglan claims. This is for informational purposes only.