Reglan drug injury

What is Reglan?

Reglan Drug Injury

Metoclopramide is a medication that often goes by the brand name Reglan®. Classified as a dopamine antagonist and developed in the 1950s to treat psychiatric patients, Reglan is now used to help increase the muscle contractions in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Stronger muscle contractions help to increase the speed the stomach empties into the small intestine.

Uses of Reglan

The approved uses for metoclopramide include treating symptomatic heartburn in individuals, particularly those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and alleviating the symptoms of those with diabetic gastroparesis, which is a slow emptying of the stomach.

Reglan is also prescribed off-label for things such as GERD in children and infants, morning sickness for expectant mothers, and to increase production of milk in nursing mothers. It is meant to be used short-term (no more than 12 weeks) and typically only when other treatments have been ineffective. Prolonged use of metoclopramide can result in a Reglan drug injury.