Some women are reporting that they are having difficulties with hair growth after chemo treatments for breast cancer.

A class action lawsuit investigation has been initiated by consumer protection attorneys to investigate whether Taxotere causes permanent breast cancer hair loss.

A potential lawsuit against Sanofi-Aventis, the pharmaceutical manufacturer of Taxotere, would likely allege that the drug company failed to warn the medical community and general public about dangerous side effects associated with using the chemotherapy treatment.

What is Taxotere?

Taxotere
, generically known as docetaxel, is a popular chemotherapy treatment used to treat breast, lung, prostate, and stomach cancer. Toxotere is taken intravenously or through an IV. The chemotherapy treatment is usually injected by a medical professional over a 1 hour period every three weeks, or as directed by a patient’s medical professionals.

The chemotherapy treatment works by affecting the process of cell division. Taxotere belongs to a class of cancer treatment medications known as alkaloids. These treatments attack cancer cells during various stages of cell division.

Taxotere and Breast Cancer Hair Loss Side Effects

Common Taxotere side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle pain, along with several other side effects.

Until December of 2015, Taxotere warning labels did not warn that hair growth after chemo could be permanently affected. In 2015 the FDA issued a label change for Taxotere to warn patients about potential permanent breast cancer hair loss.

Prior to 2015 the Taxotere drug warning label warned patients about temporary hair loss but claimed that patients would experience hair growth after chemo treatments were completed.

A study published in the American Journal of Dermatopathology in 2011 found that certain chemotherapy regimens such as docetaxel for breast cancer can make it difficult for women to grow hair after chemo and can cause dose-dependent permanent alopecia.

A second 2012 study performed by the European Society for Medical Oncology made similar findings and reported that docetaxel could make it difficult for women to grow hair after chemo due to permanent and severe alopecia.

Hair growth after chemo is a big concern for many women who are facing chemotherapy treatment. The ability to grow hair after chemo is an important factor that may play role in determining which breast cancer treatment a woman will choose.

Consumer protection law aims to help women in these situations by requiring drug manufacturers to disclose potential side effects associated with their medications.

Breast Cancer Hair Loss Lawsuits

Women who took Taxotere and have had trouble with hair growth after chemo may be able to bring a breast cancer hair loss lawsuit. Successful plaintiffs may receive compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced due to side effects from the chemotherapy treatment.

Bringing a lawsuit is a big decision and a consumer protection attorney can provide potential plaintiffs with a case evaluation to help the potential plaintiff weigh the facts and circumstances of their individual case.

Lawsuits against pharmaceutical drug manufacturers can also help hold the companies accountable for their actions by serving as a reminder that companies owe consumers a specific duty of care.