Sanofi Aventis is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from numerous women alleging they developed permanent alopecia from the chemotherapy drug Taxotere. One of the most recent claims comes from a Texas woman, claiming the chemotherapy drug Taxotere had caused her to develop permanent hair loss without adequate warming.

Plaintiff Velma S. says she underwent two cycles of chemotherapy using Taxotere, soon after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Velma had first discussed the option with her gynecologist, and had agreed to it after reviewing Sanofi Aventis marketing materials.

The first cycle using the chemotherapy drug Taxotere started on May 2, 2007 and the second one occurred on Sept. 28, 2007. After that, Velma reportedly developed hair loss. According to Velma’s Taxotere hair loss lawsuit, she began to experience thinning hairline on the scalp in March 2008.

This was six months after using the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, and has since lost most of her hair along with her eyelashes and eyebrows. Like other women involved in the Taxotere MDL, Velma had discovered the alleged link between Taxotere and permanent hair loss.

Overview of Taxotere Hair Loss Complications

Taxotere was approved by the FDA during the mid 1990s for breast cancer treatment, but has since been approved to treat other cancer varieties. Like other chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere is administered intravenously through a strict regimented schedule set by oncologists.

Similar to other chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere works by targeting rapidly growing cells and often targets hair follicles early on in treatment. While hair loss is a relatively common side effect associated with chemotherapy treatment, permanent hair loss or alopecia is much more unusual.

With Taxotere being one of the most popular chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer treatment, millions of patients could be at risk for permanent hair loss.

The FDA addressed the alleged correlation between Taxotere and permanent hair loss in December 2015 by issuing a label update for Taxotere. According to the drug’s warning label, patients can generally expect their hair to grow back at some point after treatment. The FDA stated the warning label needed to mention there were cases of permanent alopecia, which may have been caused by Taxotere. European warning labels already had such a warning before it was required for U.S. labeling.

Sanofi Aventis began facing serious legal action soon after the FDA’s order. Numerous patients allege Sanofi Aventis allegedly knew the risk of permanent alopecia occurring after the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, but concealed it from the public.

Velma is filing her Taxotere hair loss lawsuit in MDL No. 2740, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

At all times relevant, Velma says she used the chemotherapy drug Taxotere for its intended purpose and did not deviate from medical instructions. Velma states that she would not have agreed to use the chemotherapy drug Taxotere if she had known of its alleged link with permanent hair loss.

This Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-06928-KDE-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.