Sanofi Aventis is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of similar chemo hair loss lawsuits alleging similar injuries. An Oklahoma woman is one of the latest to join the MDL, alleging permanent, disfiguring hair loss as a result of chemotherapy drug Taxotere.

Similar to other claims in the MDL, the woman alleges there was no way for her to know that her chemo hair loss was permanent because a warning of the risk was not stated on the drug’s label.

Plaintiff Sandra H. was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2014 and had discussed different treatment options with her oncologist. Sandra eventually was prescribed Taxotere chemotherapy treatments on a heavily regulated schedule.

Sandra received Taxotere from Aug. 12, 2014 to Oct. 13, 2014. She expected to temporarily lose some hair at some point during her treatment.

However, Sandra says she has been unable to grow back her hair and has since discovered Taxotere has a strong association with permanent chemo hair loss.

Overview of Taxotere Chemo Hair Loss

Chemotherapy targets rapidly reproducing cells in order to attack cancer. Hair follicles produce rapidly, which means hair loss is often a side effect.

While losing hair is very common during this intense process, most patients regrow their hair.  Permanent hair loss is a fairly rare event.

Taxotere’s link to permanent baldness was publicized in December 2015 when the FDA issued a label change for the product to include a warning that permanent hair loss was a possibility.

Taxotere’s label previously had stated that hair “generally grows back” after any chemotherapy treatment.

On the market since the 1990s, Taxotere has been used to treat a variety of cancers, but is most popularly used to battle breast cancer. The medical community expressed concern for years that Taxotere might have a propensity to induce permanent hair loss.

A 2006 study found that 6.3% of Taxotere breast cancer patients who experienced chemo hair loss grew back less than 50% of their hair. Claims of Taxotere permanent hair loss came forth from patients alleging Sanofi Aventis hid the fact for years.

These allegations are based on the fact that European Taxotere warning labels included the permanent hair loss warning years before the labels on the drug in the United States ever mentioned the possibility. Sandra and other patients claim that they never would have agreed to use Taxotere if they had known the risk of permanent baldness.

This Taxotere Chemo Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-03380-KDE-MBN in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.