The manufacturer of the intravenous chemotherapy medication Taxotere is under allegations of negligence for having failed to warn breast cancer patients and physicians of the risks of permanent hair loss (alopecia) and other serious side effects associated with taking the drug.

Several lawsuits have been filed claiming that cancer patients suffered irreversible hair loss after being administered Taxotere for chemotherapy treatment.

Overview of Taxotere

Taxotere is an FDA-approved chemotherapy medication used to treat breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach caner, head / neck cancer and metastatic prostate cancer.

The drug is classified as a plant alkaloid, and works by attacking cancer cells during various stages of division.

Additionally, Taxotere works to inhibit the microtubule structures within cancer cells, which ultimately results in cell death.

Although primarily used to treat breast cancer, Taxotere can also be prescribed for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach (gastric) cancer and head/neck cancer.

It was originally approved by the FDA in early 1996 and is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis.

Concern Over Taxotere Chemotheraphy Hair Loss

According to several Taxotere lawsuits, Sanofi-Aventis allegedly assured cancer patients and the medical community that chemotherapy hair loss was temporary and would return after Taxotere treatment was completed.

Although temporary hair loss may be a possible side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, complete and permanent hair loss (alopecia) has been linked to Taxotere.

In December 2015, the FDA updated the warning label for Taxotere to include the risk of permanent hair loss associated with the drug.

A study, published in the 2011 American Journal of Dermatopathology, found that “there is increased evidence that certain chemotherapy regimens can cause dose-dependent permanent alopecia”, including Taxotere for breast cancer.

Other Taxotere Side Effects

Along with the increasing risk of Taxotere chemotherapy hair loss, the chemo drug may also cause the following side effects:

• Fluid retention with weight gain, swelling of the ankles or abdominal area.
• Numbness in the fingers and toes with repeated doses of Taxotere (medically known as Peripheral neuropathy)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Sore mouth
• Hair loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Infection
• Changes of color to fingernails or toes. Nails may fall off in extreme cases but will allegedly grow back once treatment of Taxotere is completed

Although less common, the below side effects reportedly occur in 10- 29 percent of patients receiving Taxotere treatment.

• Vomiting
• Muscle/bone/joint pain (medically known as myalgias and arthralgias)
• Low platelet count (which can increase the risk of bleeding)
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  (Function should return to normal upon discontinuation of treatment)

Filing a Taxotere Lawsuit

Did you suffer permanent chemotherapy hair loss after being administered Taxotere? If so, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against Sanofi-Aventis.  An experienced Taxotere lawsuit attorney can review your case and no cost and advise you if filing a Taxotere lawsuit is right for you.