Taxotere (Docetaxel) is one of the most commonly prescribed chemotherapy drugs used for breast cancer treatment, treating numerous women.

However, numerous patients have reportedly been suffering either permanent or long term chemotherapy hair loss as a part of Taxotere side effects.

Also used for other forms of cancer, including lung, head and neck cancer, prostate, and stomach, this drug has saved thousands of lives and continues to be a viable treatment option for cancer patients despite the concerning Taxotere side effects.

Like all chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere comes with a number of possible complications to look out for, including low blood cell count and nausea.

Temporary chemotherapy hair loss is also a common problem associated with Taxotere side effects, but many patients allege that it is permanent.

Hair growth after chemo is often challenging by itself, as it often grows back differently than the patient remembers, but permanent chemotherapy hair loss is a prominent concern for potential patients.

Overview of Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss

Taxotere was approved by the FDA in 1996, and is manufactured by Sanofi Aventis. This drug works by inhibiting the reproduction and growth of cancer cells, eventually forcing the remaining cancer cells to die out.

Due to its treatment mechanism, Taxotere is ideal to treat breast cancer and other cancers that affect certain areas of the body. Taxotere is administered intravenously, and is prescribed on a strict schedule from the patient’s oncologist.

According to to breastcancer.org there are approximately 2.8 million women in America with a history of breast cancer, with 75% of them reportedly opting for Taxotere treatment and its side effects.

However, a number of patients have reportedly having trouble achieving hair growth after chemo months or even years after chemotherapy. In 2013, a study published by the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) had reported that 10% to 15% had suffered permanent chemotherapy hair loss.

Some experts state that permanent hair loss can be avoided with scalp cooling, or wearing a cold cap, before, during, and after treatment. However, this prevention method is highly dependent on the medication and dosage given during chemotherapy.

The concern of permanent hair loss as a possible Taxotere side effect was discovered in 2006 in a study by Dr. Scot Sedlacek from the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers.

The study found that 6.3% of breast cancer patients had gained less than 50% of hair growth after chemo.

The potential risk came to light in December 2015, when the FDA issued a label change requirement for Taxotere side effects. The FDA required that Sanofi Aventis add permanent hair loss as a potential side effect to the drug’s warning label.

Sanofi Aventis allegedly knew that permanent hair loss may have been a possible Taxotere side effect for years, but had concealed this information from patients. Now, a number of women have filed legal action against Sanofi Aventis, alleging that the company had failed to protect them against permanent hair loss.