Sanofi Aventis is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from numerous persons alleging devastating Taxotere side effects.

One of the most recent claims alleging serious Taxotere side effects comes from an Illinois woman, claiming the popular chemotherapy drug caused her to develop permanent hair loss. The woman is filing this Taxotere hair loss lawsuit, alleging the company knew or should have known about potentially devastating Taxotere side effects.

Plaintiff Lisa M. had been prescribed Taxotere soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer and agreed to take the medication after discussing her options and reviewing the Sanofi Aventis advertising materials with her oncologist.  Lisa began Taxotere chemotherapy treatment on April 27, 2011, and had stayed on the medication through June 29, 2011.

During her time in chemotherapy, Lisa reportedly suffered Taxotere side effects including alopecia (permanent hair loss) and still continues to contend it. Lisa states that her unexpected hair loss caused her severe mental anguish and emotional distress, as Taxotere’s warning label did not have alopecia listed as one of the potential Taxotere side effects.  In fact, class action investigators point out that Taxotere’s warning label states that patients can expect their hair to generally grow back.

Overview of Taxotere Side Effects

Taxotere (docetaxel) is popularly used for chemotherapy purposes on a number of different cancers, breast cancer patients being the most prominent. Like other chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere is only given on a cycle basis and administered by a medical professional.

The medication works by targeting rapidly growing cells in the body which makes hair follicles a primary target for the medication. While hair loss is common in chemotherapy treatment, permanent alopecia is much more unusual a difficult side effect for patients to face.

Although potentially devastating to some, permanent alopecia was not mentioned on the drugs warning label as a possible complication of taking Taxotere until December 2015. In 2015, the FDA issued a label change order after reviewing numerous injury reports indicating permanent hair loss.  Sanofi Aventis allegedly knew about this possibility for years based on earlier European warnings, but patients in the United States never received the same warning.

Lisa opted to file the Taxotere hair loss lawsuit after discovering other women had suffered similar experiences and that health officials in other countries were given earlier notification. During all times relevant, Lisa only used Taxotere under medical supervision and did not deviate from instruction.

Lisa states that she would not have agreed to use the chemotherapy drug if she had known permanent alopecia was included as a potential Taxotere side effect. Lisa is filing her Taxotere hair loss lawsuit in MDL No. 2740, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.  By joining the MDL, Lisa’s claim will hopefully be streamlined through the litigation process and avoid potential legal complications like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-10067-KDE-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.