Metoclopramide Drugs Get 'Black Box' Warning
FDA Orders Warning About Abnormal Movements Linked to Drugs Containing Metoclopramide
By
Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News
Reviewed By
Louise Chang, MD
Feb. 27, 2009 -- The FDA has ordered a "black box" warning, the
FDA's strongest warning, for drugs that contain metoclopramide, which is used
to treat gastrointestinal disorders.
The boxed warning will highlight the risk of tardive dyskinesia, or
involuntary and repetitive movements of the body, with long-term or high-dose
use of metoclopramide, even after the drugs are no longer taken.
Drugs that contain metoclopramide include Reglan tablets, Reglan oral
disintegrating tablets, metoclopramide oral solution, and Reglan injection.
More than 2 million Americans use these products, according to the FDA.
Those drugs' labels already note the risk of tardive dyskinesia with chronic
metoclopramide treatment. Now, that risk will be highlighted in the boxed
warning.
Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of
the extremities, lip smacking, grimacing, tongue protrusion, rapid eye
movements or blinking, puckering, pursing of the lips, or impaired movement of
the fingers.
These symptoms are rarely reversible and there is no treatment. But in some
patients, symptoms may lessen or resolve after metoclopramide treatment is
stopped.
The development of tardive dyskinesia is directly related to the length of
time a patient is taking metoclopramide and the number of doses taken. Those at
greatest risk include the elderly, especially older women, and people who have
been on the drug for a long time.
Recently published analyses suggest that metoclopramide is the most common
cause of drug-induced movement disorders. Another analysis of study data by the
FDA showed that about 20% of patients in that study who used metoclopramide
took it for longer than three months.
The FDA has also become aware of continued, spontaneous reports of tardive
dyskinesia in patients who used metoclopramide, most of whom had taken the drug
for more than three months.
Metoclopramide works by speeding up the movement of the stomach muscles,
thus increasing the rate at which the stomach empties into the intestines. It
is used as a short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in
patients who have not responded to other therapies, and to treat diabetic
gastroparesis (slowed emptying of the stomach's contents into the intestines).
It is recommended that treatment not exceed three months.
The FDA encourages consumers to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch
program. You can reach MedWatch by phone at 800-FDA-1088 and on the FDA's web site.
SOURCES: News release, FDA.
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