What is Taxotere Used For?

Taxotere is an anticancer medication that inhibits the spread of cancer cells through the body. The medication is given intravenously with a dose and schedule designed by your physician and based on numerous factors including your weight, height, general health, and the specific type of cancer you’re being treated for. However, Taxotere hair loss attorneys have pursued litigation after patients across the country filed complaints over permanent baldness and alopecia.

Taxotere, generic name docetaxel, is approved by the FDA for the treatment of certain types of breast, lung, stomach, neck, head, and prostate cancer. The drug is also being investigated for use in the treatment of –

• Ovarian cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Small cell lung cancer
• Soft tissue sarcoma
• Melanoma

Use of Taxotere can be deadly for some people, especially those who are put high doses, patients with liver disease, and patients with non-small liver cancer who had previously been treated with cancer drugs cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin or other that contains platinum.

Sanofi-Aventis, the manufacturer of Taxotere report that some people may experience a severe allergic reaction to the drug, including hives, feeling as though you may lose consciousness, developing a red skin rash, or facial, throat, tongue, or lip swelling. If you receive this medication, you may experience fluid retention in your lower extremities, your weight rapidly increases, or the skin begins to peel from your feet and hands, contact your physician immediately.

Side effects experienced by more than 30 percent of patients who take Taxotere-

• Anemia or low red blood cell count
• Low white cell blood count
• Numbness in your extremities
• Mouth sores
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Weakness and fatigue
• Infection
• Hair loss
• Damaged finger and toe nails

Side effects experienced by 10 to 29 percent of patients who take the medication –

• Joint, bone, and muscle pain
• Low platelet count that increase your chance of bleeding
• An increase in liver function testing

Note that while it’s common for patients to lose their hair during chemotherapy, some patients are alleging that Taxotere causes a permanent hair loss, a condition called alopecia, that the manufacturer failed to warn of. These patients are working with a Taxotere attorney to determine if they can seek justice for this failure to warn.

Also note that Taxotere contains alcohol, so you may feel drunk after receiving the drug. Avoid drinking any alcohol on your therapy days, and have a friend or loved one drive you home or wherever you need to go for a few hours after the injection.

Taxotere is not to be used by pregnant or breast-feeding mothers. It is recommended that you use an effective birth control method while receiving treatments and for a while after. Your doctor will be able to tell you when it is safe to stop using birth control.