Sanofi Aventis is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of numerous claims alleging persistent hair loss after chemo with Taxotere. One of the most recent Taxotere lawsuits comes from an Oregon woman, alleging her persistent hair loss after chemo continued after her treatment was over and has been unable to grow back her hair.

Plaintiff Tina H. joined the MDL after discovering Taoxtere may be linked to permanent alopecia, and that other women were experiencing persistent hair loss after chemo. According to her Taxotere lawsuit, Tina had been prescribed the drug for typical treatment purposes from September 2009 to November 2009.

During this time, Tina says, she developed hair loss and was led to believe by the company it would most likely grow back at some point after treatment. However, her Taxotere lawsuit indicates she continued to suffer persistent hair loss after chemo, six months after treatment ended.

At all times relevant, Tina says she only used Taxotere for its designated propose and did not take the drug outside of her prescribed chemotherapy treatment sessions. Despite following all medical instructions and physician advice, she still developed alopeica.

Tina opted to file legal action, alleging Sanofi Aventis either knew or should have known about potential Taxotere alopecia.

Overview of Taxotere Hair Loss

Taxotere is a popular chemotherapy drug for a variety of cancers, but is most commonly used for breast cancer treatment. This was its original treatment purpose when it was released in the 1990s, but it has since expanded in scope. Taxotere is prescribed to numerous patients every year, with many of them being women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

During this time, patients can expect to go through a number of different procedures including chemotherapy, and often experience at least some degree of hair loss. Chemotherapy works by inhibiting the reproduction abilities of fast growing cells, making it an effective tool for cancer treatment.

However, these drugs are nondiscriminatory and attack any fast growing cells, with hair follicles often the first to be affected. According to the plaintiffs, the original Taxotere warning label says hair “generally grows back” but did not make any mention of persistent hair loss after chemo.

The FDA ordered a label change for Taxotere in December 2015, to include potentially permanent hair loss as a potential side effect for the chemotherapy drug. Sanofi Aventis is facing major public criticism for allegedly failing to warn patients of this possibility sooner, with many pointing out that European patients received the alopecia warning years earlier.

Tina’s Taxotere lawsuit is being filed in MDL No. 2740, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining the MDL, Tina’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid issues like conflicting rulings from different judges.

Tina states she would not have used Taxotere if she had known about potential persistent hair loss after chemo.

This Taxotere Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-12654-KDE-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.