Reglan and Chemotherapy

When a patient has cancer, chemotherapy is a common treatment. Cancer cells are characterized by rapid growth and division, and chemotherapy is used to kill these cells. The complications from chemotherapy arise from the fact that this treatment will kill cells that divide rapidly that are part of the body’s normal processes. As a result, chemotherapy has the potential to be a disruptive treatment.

One of the side effects of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. There are many ways to treat this, but one drug that is occasionally used is Reglan. Reglan, however, has severe side effects that must be weighed carefully against the benefits of using this drug. If you or someone you know has been treated with Reglan and has suffered health complications after doing so, contact the Reglan attorneys of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting

Among those cells that rapidly divide on a normal basis are hair follicles, bone marrow, and digestive tract. As a result of the latter, acute nausea can occur, possibly leading to vomiting. This is chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, or CINV. Unlike the evolutionary principle behind vomiting, which is to purge potentially harmful substances from the body, CINV is purely a byproduct of the cancer treatment.

Drugs called 5-HT3 antagonists have been developed to assist with this side effect. While this drug is highly selective with regard to the receptors that it blocks, there are less discriminating drugs that are also used as antiemetics. One example is Reglan. When used for chemotherapy, there is a risk that the receptors it blocks will cause problems such as the involuntary movement disorder, tardive dyskinesia.

Contact Us

If you are experiencing any significant side effects after taking the drug Reglan, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation. Contact the Reglan lawsuit attorneys of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187 today to learn more about your legal rights and options.