Sanofi Aventis is facing a new Taxotere lawsuit from a North Carolina woman who allegedly suffered permanent hair loss after receiving Taxotere breast cancer treatment.

According to the Taxotere lawsuit, the woman had received Taxotere breast cancer treatment under the impression that her hair would eventually grow back and that she would not have to live with either permanent or chronic alopecia.

Plaintiff Barbara L. had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2013, after a malignant lump was found in her left breast.

She had agreed to undergo Taxotere breast cancer treatment after consulting her oncologist, and had been unaware of the possibility of permanent hair loss at the time.

Furthermore her oncologist was also unaware of the drug’s link with alopecia, having received no notification from Sanofi Aventis.

After undergoing six cycles of chemotherapy in 2013, which included Taxotere breast cancer treatment, Barbara had eventually lost all or most of her hair.

It was not until January 2016 that Barbara began to suspect she may be suffering from alopecia, as her hair had yet to return.

At this point in time, Barbara has contended with the alopecia and may have to for some time to come. Barbara had undergone Taxotere breast cancer treatment under the strict supervision of her oncologist, and did not use it outside of the chemotherapy cycles.

Even though the drug was used for its intended purpose and all prescription instructions were followed, Barbara and a number of other women reportedly suffered permanent hair loss from Taxotere.

Overview of Taxotere Hair Loss

Taxotere (Docetaxel) was approved by the FDA in 1996 to be used for breast cancer treatment, but has since been approved to treat other cancers. A part of the taxane drug family, Taxotere works by killing rapidly multiplying cells and ultimately prevents cancer cells from reproducing.

However due to the fact that Taxotere attacks fast growing cells, hair follicles are often the first thing the drug hits as hair follicles are some of the fastest reproducing cells in the body.

Even though chemotherapy hair loss is relatively common amongst cancer patients, it is unusual for permanent hair loss to occur in result.

It has been alleged that Sanofi Aventis knew the risk of permanent alopecia for years before the FDA issued a warning label to address the risk in December 2015.

Sanofi Aventis had added the warning to Taxotere’s label in Europe years before the United States, furthering the allegations.

Barbara states that she never would have used the drug if she had been aware of permanent hair loss resulting from Taxotere breast cancer treatment.

She is filing this Taxotere lawsuit against Sanofi Aventis for failing to warn her against this complication, along with any other relevant damages.

The Taxotere Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-01021, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.