An Oklahoma woman recently filed a breast cancer hair loss lawsuit against Sanofi Aventis, among other named defendants, alleging she suffered permanent alopecia after taking the chemotherapy medication Taxotere.

Plaintiff Gloria P. says that she began taking Taxotere for treatment of advanced stage breast cancer on Oct. 29, 2012, and continued treatment through Dec. 11, 2012.

According to the breast cancer hair loss lawsuit, Gloria suffered severe and personal injuries including permanent hair loss. Gloria is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of future earnings, the impairment of earning capacity, mental anguish, debilitating emotional distress, and impairment of the quality and enjoyment of life.

Gloria filed the breast cancer hair loss lawsuit on Dec. 23, 2017 in Louisiana federal court, joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the companies. In the lawsuit, she asserts multiple claims including failure to warn, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and fraud and deceit.

Breast Cancer Hair Loss Lawsuit Joins MDL

Many women like Gloria have filed breast cancer hair loss lawsuits against the manufacture of Taxotere, alleging the drug caused them to develop permanent hair loss, also known as permanent alopecia.

It is commonly understood that hair loss is a common adverse side effect of chemotherapy, and many women are aware that alopecia may result. However, this hair loss usually isn’t permanent. Women undergoing chemotherapy treatment are often under the impression that their hair will eventually grow back once their chemotherapy is complete.

Plaintiff say Sanofi knew or should have known about risks of the permanent hair loss. Patients are accusing the company of failing to disclose this potential side effect to consumers and the medical community.

Accusations against the company further include the negligent design and manufacturing of Taxotere. Plaintiffs also accuse Aventis of selling and marketing an unsafe and defective product and of causing patients like Gloria to develop permanent hair loss side effects due to Taxotere use.

Taxotere

Taxotere, a widely-used chemotherapy medication manufactured by Sanofi Aventis, was FDA approved on Aug. 18, 2004 for the treatment of breast cancer. The drug has also been approved for treatment of advanced stage stomach cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Taxotere can be administered intravenously every 3-4 weeks during a one-hour long infusion cycle. It is a part of a class of drugs known as taxanes. In addition to Taxotere permanent hair loss, the drug is known to cause many other side effects such as diarrhea, bone or muscle pain, infection, low red blood cell count (anemia), mouth or throat sores, and constipation.

The Breast Cancer Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-17747-KDE-MBN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Taxotere MDL is In re: Taxotere (Docetaxel) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2740, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.