An increasing number of breast cancer patients are filing Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims, alleging the chemotherapy treatment caused them to suffer permanent hair loss.

These Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims against Sanofi Aventis say the drug maker failed to warn them of the risk and hid research linking the chemo drug to alopecia side effects.

Specifically, plaintiffs state that despite informing other countries, Sanofi Aventis did not warn women in the U.S about Taxotere permanent hair loss side effects.

In fact, the words “permanent hair loss” or “alopecia” do not appear in any information published in the U.S., according to Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims.

Purpose of Taxotere

Taxotere (docetaxel) is a chemotherapy drug approved in the treatment of breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head and neck cancer and metastatic prostate cancer.

It is administered intravenously through a vein, and is member of a family of drugs called taxanes. It is used to try to prevent cancer cells from growing and dividing.

Taxotere Hair Loss

Like many chemotherapy treatments, the drug may result in temporary hair loss, but it may also cause permanent hair loss.

Reportedly, patients undergoing Taxotere treatment were led to believe that alopecia associated with its use would be temporary.

But it now appears that Taxotere may increase the risk of permanent hair loss. This discovery has prompted many Taxotere patients to file Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims against drug maker Sanofi Aventis.

Taxotere Patients Seek Consolidation of Lawsuits

Plaintiffs pursuing Taxotere side effect lawsuit cases in federal court have asked the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to consolidate their claims in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. According to a Motion for Transfer filed with the Panel on July 22, at least 33 such claims are already pending in 16 federal jurisdictions.

Plaintiffs assert that centralization of the Taxotere side effects lawsuit cases will promote judicial efficiency.

On Aug. 16, Sanofi Aventis, filed a response with the JPML voicing support for centralization of all federal Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims. However, the chemo drug maker has asked that the docket be transferred to either the District of New Jersey or District of Colorado.

A Response filed by plaintiffs supporting the centralization of federally-filed Taxotere side effects lawsuits indicates that more than 50 Taxotere side effects lawsuit claims have now been filed in 27 U.S. District Courts.

“Transfer and coordination of the Related Actions will eliminate the risk of inconsistent rulings from various courts throughout the country, conserve limited judicial resources, reduce litigation costs for all parties, and permit the cases to proceed to trial in an efficient manner,” the response states.

The JPML heard Oral Arguments on the proposed Taxotere centralization on Sept. 29, 2016 in Washington, D.C.  A decision is expected in the coming weeks.

Filing a Taxotere Side Effects Lawsuit

The breast cancer treatment, Taxotere, may be more likely to cause permanent alopecia (hair loss) than other chemotherapy drugs.

Individuals who experienced this side effect may be elible to file a Taxotere side effects lawsuit if it is determined that Sanofi Aventis failed to provide patients and doctors with appropriate warnings.