Taxotere breast cancer patients are coming forward and alleging the the chemotherapy drug has caused them permanent hair loss, a side effect the drug maker Sanofi-Aventis purportedly did not disclose adequately.

Many of these Taxotere breast cancer patients have opted to take legal action against the drug maker, holding them responsible for their hair loss.

One such recently filed lawsuit accuses Sanofi-Aventis of not only failing to disclose the risk of permanent hair loss in breast cancer patients using Taxotere, but also says the company conspired to hide the problem to increase the drug’s sales.

Plaintiff Ruth H. of Louisiana was diagnosed with Stage 1 Ductal Carcinoma of the right breast in October 2015.  At that time her oncologist and treating physicians decided to move forward with a lumpectomy of the right breast and post-op radiation treatment.

In August 2008, Ruth met with her oncologist for restaging workup where it was determined that she had a recurrence and further treatment was needed.  She then underwent six rounds of Taxotere breast cancer chemotherapy.  Her Taxotere breast cancer chemo treatment ended in December 2008.

According to Ruth, she did not know or suspect that her disfiguring alopecia was allegedly a result of Taxotere breast cancer treatment until early 2016.

As a result of Sanofi-Aventis’ failure to inform Ruth or her doctors about Taxotere’s possible permanent hair loss side effect, Ruth continues to suffer from the fact that her hair will not grow back as a result of receiving chemotherapy with Taxotere.

She brings this action against Sanofi-Aventis for four claims including product liability, inadequate warning, breach of express warranty, and breach of warranty in redhibition.

Ruth is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical injury and disability, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and distress, as well as compensatory damages.

Possible Risks With Taxotere Breast Cancer Treatment

Taxotere, manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and sold in the U.S. since 1999, is used to treat patients with advanced or metastasized breast cancer, along with other forms of cancer.

Most chemotherapy drugs are known to cause temporary hair loss, with hair growing back soon after treatment ends.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case with Taxotere breast cancer patients diagnosed with alopecia, a condition characterized by a loss of all body hair that might never return.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its Safety Information page in December 2015 to include the reporting of instances of permanent hair loss. However, patients have claimed that Sanofi-Aventis warned patients outside of the U.S. about the side effects much earlier.

Should You File a Taxotere Breast Cancer Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one have been treated with Taxotere for breast cancer, and have experienced permanent hair loss, you might have cause to sue the manufacturer for compensation for your pain and suffering.

This Taxotere Lawsuit is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  A case number was not available at this time.