The drug manufacturer Sanofi Aventis is facing a new chemotherapy hair loss lawsuit after a new woman joined the multidistrict litigation (MDL) alleging permanent Taxotere hair loss.

The most recent claim was filed by a California woman who alleges the company failed to warn her about permanent hair loss resulting from her use of Taxotere (docetaxel).

Plaintiff Irene D. says she was prescribed Taxotere on Dec. 31, 2007, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she was prescribed the medication by a medical professional, she says she was unaware that permanent hair loss, or alopecia, could be a possible side effect. She last used Taxotere on Apr. 22, 2008, the chemotherapy hair loss lawsuit maintains.

Irene filed her chemotherapy hair loss lawsuit on Nov. 13, 2017, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Louisiana. The chemotherapy hair loss lawsuit alleges multiple claims, including failure to warn, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and fraud and deceit.

Chemotherapy Hair Loss Lawsuit Joins MDL

Irene’s claim was filed as part of a large multidistrict litigation, or MDL, centered on allegations that taking  Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss, the litigation also alleges that the drug manufacturer failed to warn consumers about the side effects.

Allegations against the company claim that marketing statements made by Sanofi Aventis simply stated that hair loss “generally” grows back. However, this was reportedly not the case for women filing chemotherapy hair loss lawsuits against the manufacturer.

According to the lawsuit, Sanofi advised consumers of permanent hair loss effects of Taxotere in Europe and Canada, but similar warnings were not provided to women in the U.S. until 2015.

Taxotere gained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration back in 1996. Allegations against Sanofi include selling an allegedly defective, unsafe, and dangerous drug, not adequately testing Taxotere to determine its adverse effects, and negligently designing and marketing Taxotere.

How Does Taxotere Cause Permanent Hair Loss?

Researchers are currently studying why there may be an increased risk of developing permanent hair loss with the use of Taxotere.

Scientists hypothesize that the drug’s potency level could be a reason why the side effect occurs. In comparison to another chemotherapy drug, Taxol, Taxotere is twice as potent. Increased potency allows the drug to work for longer intervals. This means that a person needs fewer total treatment cycles as well as a decreased number of frequent infusions.

However, a higher potency level correlates to higher toxicity. High toxic levels could potentially be the reason why there is an increased risk of permanent hair loss.

Taxotere Studies

A Taxotere study was conducted in 2006 by a team of researchers of the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers in Denver.  The study led by Dr. Scot Sedlacek found that 6.3% patients treated with Taxotere grew back less than 50% of their hair after using the medication.

According to the study, “when docetaxel is administered … there is a small but significant possibility of poor hair regrowth lasting up to 7 years. Such an emotionally devastating long term toxicity from this must be taken into account when deciding on adjuvant chemotherapy programs in women who likely will be cured of their breast cancer.”

The Chemotherapy Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-12278-KDE-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Taxotere MDL is In re: Taxotere (Docetaxel) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2740, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.