Docetaxel, brand name Taxotere, is a popular drug used for chemotherapy for breast cancer and is relied upon by millions of patients.

This drug was approved by the FDA in 1996 and manufactured by Sanofi Aventis, to be used for chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Since then, Taxotere has been approved to also treat various other cancers including neck, gastric, prostate, and non small cell lung cancer.

However a number of patients are complaining that they suffered several side effects of this drug, including permanent hair loss or baldness.

Also known as alopecia, hair loss appears on the Taxotere warning label as a possible side effect, but the label did not warn about permanent hair loss. At this time, experts are not able to determine what may be causing this side effect but believes it may be linked to how the patient’s body may react to the drug.

Docetaxel works by preventing cancer cells from dividing into new cells, which ultimately blocks the growth and spread of cancer. It is administered intravenously and is implemented every one to three weeks depending on the cancer and the physician’s prescription recommendation.

Like many chemotherapy drugs, Docetaxel can induce hair loss but there are a number of other side effects patients should be aware of including:

• Significant drop in white blood cells
• Significant drop in red blood cells
• Skin bruises easily
• Numbness or tingling
• Symptoms that indicate allergic reaction

Other side effects of Docetaxel can including nausea, fever, dehydration, and general discomfort the patient may experience due to the intensity of the chemotherapy treatment drug.

Overview of Docetaxel Hair Loss

There are approximately 2.8 million American women with a history of breast cancer in the United States, with 75% of them estimated to have been prescribed brand name Docetaxel. According to a 2013 issue of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), 10% to 15% of the patients had suffered permanent hair loss.

In December 2015, the FDA required Taxotere’s warning label to be updated to include permanent hair loss even though Sanofi Aventis allegedly knew for years. This had spurred numerous product liability lawsuits to be filed against the company soon after, and was soon reflected in America’s northern neighbor Canada.

Health Canada had been alerted earlier to the potential problem in 2012, reporting that cancer patients had preferred a longer chemotherapy cycle with Taxol for a small chance of permanent hair loss. Under Taxol, patients would have had to undergo twelve cycle of chemotherapy, while Taxotere patients would only have to undergo four.

Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer say they are already experiencing enough turmoil with their condition and should not have to worry about the possibility of permanent hair loss.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer using a Docetaxel drug who suffered permanent hair loss may be eligible to file legal action. Potential claimants should contact a specialized attorney to determine their eligibility.