Tardive Dyskinesia – Do You Have a Lawsuit

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Tardive Dyskinesia – Do You Have a Lawsuit

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder was recognized as a mood disorder in 2012.  Medication treating this disorder can lead to Tardive Kyskinesia.  Children who have outbursts three or more times a week may be diagnosed with this disorder.  After 10 years of debate, in December 2012, psychiatrists approved updates to their diagnostic manual of mental illnesses, including the addition of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

Reglan, a medication used to treat this disorder, may cause tardive dyskinesia.  Tardive dyskinesia is a potentially irreversible and disfiguring disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face, tongue, or extremities.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

The purpose of adding DMDD was to address concerns about overdiagnosis and overmedication of bipolar disorder in children, and provided psychiatrists a way to differentiate between bipolar and other explosive outbursts. Bipolar disease is a severe mood disorder book-ended by both mania and depression, known to emerge in adolescence and early adulthood. About 2 percent of children and teens have been diagnosed. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found only 14 percent of teens with any mental disorder are on medication.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 5.7 million people struggle with bipolar disorder.  Studies have found 50 percent start showing signs before the age of 19 but many lead fully functional lives.

Medications Leading to Tardive Dyskinesia

Bipolar disorder medication side effects include grogginess, weight gain, polycystic ovary syndrome and tardive dyskinesia, in which the tongue thrusts out uncontrollably.  Other undesirable side effects include seizures, weight gain, hyperglycemia, diabetes, depressive effect and involuntary movement such as a thrusting out of the tongue.

Tardive Dyskineseia and Reglan

A Michigan man filed a product liabilities claim at Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (case no. 121201046) alleging he suffered tardive dyskinesia from his use of Reglan. Reglan (metoclopramide) is a drug used to help with the digestive process and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

It has been in the market since 1996.In November 2010, the FDA issued a warning on Reglan (metoclopramide) stating that “Treatment with metoclopramide can cause tardive dyskinesia (TD), a potentially irreversible and disfiguring disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face, tongue, or extremities. The risk of developing tardive dyskinesia increases with the duration of treatment and the total cumulative dose.”In the lawsuit, plaintiff claims he took metoclopramide from 2001 to 2009 and the drug caused him to develop tardive dyskinesia.

Bipolar disease is a potentially lethal disease. Current literature indicates that one out of five bipolars will commit suicide. The disease impairs a child’s ability to socialize and to get through school. One early sign of bipolar disorder in children is lashing out, but not every child who lashes out is bipolar.

It is important to understand the diagnosis and carefully assess the best medication for your child.  Ask why your child has been diagnosed as bi-polar rather than with a Disruptive Mood Disorder and evaluate the right medication for the correct diagnosis.

2019-10-13T11:45:28-05:00