Reglan is prescribed to treat patients with acid reflux and diabetic gastric stasis. Acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux), occurs when the stomach produces too much acid and the acid seeps into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation. Reglan is prescribed to treat GERD on a short-term basis (between 4 to 12 weeks), and is designed to treat people who were unresponsive to conventional treatments.
Diabetic gastric stasis occurs when food moves too slowly through the stomach. This causes bloating, pain, nausea, vomiting and decreased appetite.
Reglan increases the contractions of the stomach and small intestine, causing food to get digested more quickly and decreasing acid buildup.
What are some important things I should know about Reglan?
Reglan can cause depression in patients without a history of depression. Reglan has also been linked to Tardive Dyskinesia and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, both of which can be incurable and fatal.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, or NMS, causes muscle rigidity, irregular pulse and blood pressure and acute kidney failure. Tardive Dyskinesia is an incurable syndrome that causes involuntary movements. It especially targets elderly women.
Reglan is for patients with acid reflux and diabetic gastric stasis.
Reglan should not be used for patients who are epileptic or are taking medicines that increase their risk of seizures. Reglan should not be used for patients who are allergic to its ingredients, or patients who have a gastrointestinal hemorrhage or other obstruction.
- depression in patients who do not have a history of depression
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- NMS
- impaired physical or mental abilities
- drug interactions, including alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, narcotics and tranquilizers
- possible injury to unborn or nursing babies
- nausea
- diarrhea
- allergic reactions
You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice signs of allergic reaction, drug interaction, depression, Tardive Dyskinesia or NMS. These signs include:
- rash
- hives
- difficulty breathing
- sad, moody, suicidal
- fatigue
- muscle rigidity
- difficulty urinating
- blood in urine
- involuntary movement of the mouth and jaw