It is a well-known fact that Reglan, an acid reflux medication, may cause tardive dyskinesia (TD) in patients if the drug is taken for more than 12 weeks. However, the drug Reglan has been given to help breastfeeding mothers increase lactation. Reglan has been found to help new mothers who are having problems producing milk for their breastfeeding babies. The off-label use does not have a specific dosage, but new mothers have been given 30 mgs a day, which is close to the same dosage of 30-40 mgs heartburn patients take.

Since a person using Reglan for heartburn and a mother using Reglan for lactation are the same, both are at risk for developing TD. The only variable is the purpose the drug is serving, therefore the risks are still the same. The reason the risks are the same is because of the length of time the medication is prescribed may vary, but the effects of the drugs may be more severe in some and less in others. Before Reglan was released, the FDA only approved its use for 12 weeks at a time, which means that women who are breastfeeding are at an even higher risk for developing TD because of the timeframe spent breastfeeding. The question that many Missouri personal injury attorneys are asking is what about the baby?

There is no conclusive evidence on whether a breastfeeding child is at risk for developing TD or other Reglan-related conditions, which means that more studies will need to be conducted. If you are a breastfeeding mother who is taking Reglan and notice symptoms associated with TD, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, ocular deviation, or biepharaospasm please contact your doctor immediately. After you have spoken with your doctor, speak to Missouri product liability attorney right away, call 888.956.2487 and let one of our experienced attorneys help fight for you.

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Joshua P. Myers is the owner and President of Myers Injury Law, LLC and a founding partner of Schultz & Myers, LLC.  Based in St. Louis, Missouri, his personal injury law firm routinely handles product liability cases that result in personal injury or death throughout the United States. If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a drug company, please contact a product liability attorney to learn your rights. It is always free to discuss your case and there are never any attorney's fees until we recover on your behalf.