Taxotere, generically known as docetaxel, is a popular cancer treatment medication used to treat patients diagnosed with various types of cancer including breast cancer, stomach cancer, head/neck cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

The medication works by interfering with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

How is Taxotere Given?

Patients take Taxotere by an injection into a vein through an IV. It is common for a dose to be administered every three weeks but this may vary based on the situation of the patient. If Taxotere touches a patient’s skin it should be removed immediately and washed with soap or water.

Taxotere Side Effects

Taxotere side effects
can be very severe.  Doctors do not recommend taking Taxotere if you have low white blood cell count or severe allergic reactions to the active ingredient docetaxel.  When taken in high doses Taxotere can cause very severe side effects including death.

Reported Taxotere side effects include:

• Sudden vision problems
• Extreme weakness, severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Confusion, stumbling, and extreme drowsiness
• Signs of infection
• Liver problems
• Permanent hair loss

Patients who suffer from a history of liver disease, kidney disease, swelling problems, and heart disease should disclose these conditions to their medical professionals prior to using the breast cancer treatment.

Does Taxotere Cause Hair Loss?

Chemotherapy treatment causes patients to lose their hair because chemotherapy treatments attack the rapidly dividing cells in the body.  The cells responsible for hair growth are some of the fastest replicating cells in the human body.

Chemotherapy treatments can affect hair loss in specific areas like the hair on a person’s head, or it can effect the whole body causing the patient to lose their eyebrows, eyelashes, leg hair and pubic hair.

The extent of hair loss can vary with different medications. According to breastcancer.org, treatments given in higher doses, every 3 to 5 weeks are more likely to cause hair loss than treatments given in lower doses.

Whether hair loss occurs dramatically or slowly over time it can be a very difficult and depressing time for breast cancer patients. Breast cancer patients often need the support of friends, family, and other breast cancer survivors at this time. Hair loss is a difficult aspect of cancer treatment because it is difficult for people to hide.

Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss Allegations

Patients are alleging that they suffered permanent chemotherapy hair loss after taking Taxotere breast cancer treatment. Many of these women feel that the drug manufacturer denied them the ability to make an educated decision about their treatment by failing to warn them of permanent side effects associated with using the treatment.

Patients who have taken Taxotere and suffered from permanent hair loss may be able to bring a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical manufacturer.  The lawsuits may allege that Taxotere failed to warn patients about side effects associated with the treatment and limited consumers’ ability to make an educated decision about their breast cancer treatment plan. Successful plaintiffs may receive compensation for their pain and suffering.