A South Carolina couple filed a Taxotere side effects lawsuit after the wife allegedly developed permanent hair loss as a result of using the chemotherapy drug.

Her suit joins with those against Sanofi Aventis, who is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of other women who filed their own Taxotere side effects lawsuit.

Each of these claims allege similar injuries of alopecia, or permanent hair loss, which was allegedly caused by Taxotere. Plaintiff Deborah F. and husband James F. are conjointly filing this Taxotere side effects lawsuit after Deborah had reportedly developed alopecia soon after being prescribed Taxotere.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Deborah went over different treatment options with her oncologist. In reviewing the marketing materials provided by Sanofi Aventis, Deborah’s oncologist had recommended Taxotere for chemotherapy treatment.

Deborah had underwent a strict supervised prescription schedule of Taxotere chemotherapy from July 28, 2006 through Sept. 28, 2006, to treat her breast cancer. At some point during her chemotherapy, Deborah had experienced significant hair loss and has reportedly been unable to grow her hair back.

According to the Taxotere warning label, patients can generally expect their hair to grow back at some point after chemotherapy. Deborah had opted to file her Taxotere side effects lawsuit, after discovering Sanofi Aventis may have concealed the fact that their chemotherapy drug caused her permanent alopecia.

Overview of Taxotere Side Effects

Taxotere is a very popular chemotherapy drug, most commonly prescribed to treat breast cancer. It was originally approved to only treat breast cancer in the mid 1990s, but has since been approved to treat other various cancers.

Like other chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere works by targeting fast reproducing cells and destroying them. This makes hair follicles primary targets for Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs, resulting in signficant or complete hair loss. While the Taxotere warning label states that the hair “generally grows back” after all treatments have been completed.

The numerous patients who have alleged permanent Taxotere hair loss have indicated otherwise as Sanofi Aventis is facing a growing MDL consisting of similar Taxotere hair loss lawsuit claims. The FDA had released a public warning regarding Taxotere hair loss in December 2015, with the agency noting cases of permanent alopecia reported.

It has been alleged that Sanofi Aventis knew about the potential permanent Taxotere hair loss years before the FDA warning, and that the company deliberately concealed this information. This allegation stems from the fact that European health officials were able to give previous warning to their citizens, years before the United States.

According to Deborah’s Taxotere side effects lawsuit, she did not use Taxotere outside of its intended purpose and did not deviate from her oncologist’s instructions. At the time it was prescribed to her, there was no way Deborah could have known about the possibility of Taxotere permanent hair loss.

Deborah states that if she had known the potential side effects, she would not have opted for Taxotere to begin with. Filing this Taxotere side effects lawsuit along with her husband, who is suing for loss of consortium, Deborah’s claims will stand alongside similar product liability lawsuits.

This Taxotere Side Effects Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-06029, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.