A cancer survivor alleges that Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug produced by the drug company Sanofi S.A., causes permanent hair loss, though only temporary hair loss is disclosed to consumers. Her lawsuit claims that the company had knowledge of this damaging and extreme side effect but intentionally obscured it from consumers.

Plaintiff Kathleen S. says she was prescribed Taxotere (also known as docetaxel) in 2010 as part of a treatment for her breast cancer. She reports that the drug was administered intravenously as chemotherapy.  She was made aware that temporary hair loss was a potential side effect of taking the drug, but she was unaware that Taxotere permanent hair loss was a potential side effect of the drug.

Kathleen’s lawsuit against Sanofi echose similar allegations raised in a large multidistrict litigation brought by other cancer patients who suffered similar persistent hair loss. Plaintiffs in these Taxotere lawsuits allege Sanofi intentionally obscured information that Taxotere could cause permanent hair loss.

Kathleen claims that no warning of permanent hair loss was provided for Taxotere. She notes that no such warnings were provided in any form until 2015 — well after she finished her chemotherapy treatment, but claims that Sanofi had knowledge that Taxotere permanent hair loss was a potential side effect well before 2015 and failed to warn its consumers.

The Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss lawsuit claims Sanofi gave only “a partial or inadequate warning that was altogether lacking and deficient in warning, making the product unreasonably us and defective.” Kathleen claims that Sanofi’s failure to disclose this side effect was a breach of its duty to patients who relied on the company for an adequate warning about Taxotere side effects.

The Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss lawsuit notes that Kathleen would not have agreed to use Taxotere had she known that it could cause permanent hair loss. Kathleen seeks damages for the financial and emotional injury that she alleges was caused by the Taxotere permanent hair loss side effect, citing the emotional strain of having her appearance and self-image adversely impacted, as well as the financial strain of having to find medical and cosmetic solutions to remedy or cover up her hair loss.

The Taxotere permanent hair loss lawsuit claims that Sanofi knew Taxotere could cause hair loss before 2015. Before that year, advertisements for the drug that were displayed in Europe before 2015 warned of permanent hair loss, whereas advertisements for the drug in the United States before 2015 did not warn of the potential of permanent hair loss.

Kathleen alleges that Sanofi only began to advertise the Taxotere permanent hair loss side effect to American consumers after the FDA required a label change for the drug because multiple cases of permanent hair loss had been reported. Kathleen claims that these pieces of information prove that Sanofi intentionally obscured importance information about the drug’s effect from its American audiences.

The Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-00167-CB, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.