Taxotere manufacturers face a lawsuit alleging that the drug causes permanent hair loss from chemo. The plaintiff, Vivian W., has filed a lawsuit against Taxotere manufacturers, alleging that her permanent hair loss from chemo is the unexpected result of using Taxotere, docetaxel or Docefrez, all manufactured by the defendants.

Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug often administered to breast cancer patients.  Taxotere is part of the taxane drug family. Taxanes are derived from yew trees and inhibit the multiplication of cancer cells by over stabilizing the structure of cancer cells. This prevents the cell from breaking down and reorganizing for cell reproduction. Taxanes are widely used as chemotherapy agents.

Vivian alleges she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy using Taxotere, docetaxel or Docefrez. Following her treatment, she now allegedly suffers permanent hair loss from chemo.

She argues that had she and her doctors known that permanent hair loss could happen after using Taxotere, she would have found a different chemotherapy medication that did not have such side effects.

Chemotherapy is known to cause temporary and reversible hair loss. This occurs because while chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells, other rapidly dividing healthy cells are also targeted. Hair follicles are some of the fastest growing cells in the body and some of the most likely cells to be damage by chemotherapy. However, when chemotherapy is stopped, hair follicles typically resume growing back at a normal rate within three to six months.

In her lawsuit, Vivian argues that her permanent hair loss has caused her serious emotional harm. She states that losing her hair permanently means she is permanently stigmatized with the “universal cancer signifier” long after she underwent cancer treatment. This stigmatization has altered her self-image, damaged her personal relationships, and led to social isolation and depression.

She argues that the drug manufacturers have failed to warn consumers that permanent or irreversible hair loss is a common side effect of their products. She alleges that the manufacturers had a duty to consumers and medical professionals to properly report on the side effects caused by their products.

The lawsuit asserts, “Defendants represented to Plaintiff, Plaintiff’s healthcare providers, the medical and healthcare community, and the public in general that [their product] had been tested and was found to be safe and effective for the treatment of certain forms of cancer and was free of defects that could and would cause serious side effects, including permanent and irreversible hair loss”.

Vivian also accuses the drug manufacturers of purposely misrepresenting their product in order to make more money. “Defendants misrepresented the novel nature of their product in order to gain a market advantage resulting in billions of dollars in revenues at the expense of vulnerable cancer victims such as Plaintiff,” the permanent hairloss from chemo lawsuit states.

Vivian accuses the manufacturers of strict products liability, negligence, misrepresentation, concealment, fraud and deceit, and breach of warranty. Vivian seeks a trial by jury, compensation for damages, medical expenses, emotional distress, court costs, and attorney’s fees.

The Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss from Chemo Lawsuit is Case No. Case 2:18-cv-00276-JAD-GWF in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.