Mother sues makers of Reglan after child develops tardive dyskinesia

A Louisiana mother has filed suit against the makers of the drug Reglan, claiming it caused her child to develop tardive dyskinesia, a disorder involving abnormal involuntary movements.

Dawn Harris, on behalf of her minor child, filed suit against Pharmaceutical Associates, Beach Products, Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals and Wockhardt on Sept. 27 in federal court in New Orleans.

Reglan, or metoclopramide, is prescribed as short-term therapy for nausea, symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux and acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis.

In the suit, Harris claims she was not aware of warnings that the drug should be avoided for prolonged treatment.

She claims the defendants "encouraged the long term use of these drugs, and concealed the drug's dangerous side effects."

Harris states that her child's use of the drug resulted in overexposure and caused the child to suffer serious, permanent and disabling injuries in the form of abnormal movements.

"Defendants breached these warranties (both express and implied) as the Reglan/metoclopramide was not merchantable, was unfit for its intended use and was unreasonably dangerous when comparing the benefits to the risks associated with its use," the complaint states.

Harris is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement, physical impairment, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, pre and post-judgment interest and court costs.

Harris is represented by Allan Berger and Andrew J. Geiger of Allan Berger & Associates in New Orleans. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No 2:10cv03159