Precautions
Researchers tried weekly treatment schedules. While they found acute toxicities were milder, they found cumulative side effects such as fatigue and physical weakness were more prominent. In the end, they concluded Taxotere treatment every three weeks had been the most convenient schedule.
How often should you take Taxotere?
Taxotere is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. Taxotere is classified as a "plant alkaloid," a "taxane" and an "antimicrotubule agent." (For more detail, see "How Taxotere Works" section below).
What is Taxotere used to treat?
In most cases, drug side effects are mild to moderate and may go away with time. Taxotere is a medication used for chemotherapy treatment of cancer which are serious medical conditions. Most of the side effects of Taxotere may be more severe than those of other medications.
Do the side effects of Taxotere go away?
As a consequence, Taxotere stays in your body for a whole week after infusion, and that’s why it is usually provided in one-week or three-week cycles. A highly toxic substance, the blood levels of Taxotere must be constantly monitored to avoid the patient from facing much more serious damage.
How long does Taxotere stay in your system after infusion?
How long is Taxotere infusion?
The TAXOTERE dilution for infusion should be administered intravenously as a 1-hour infusion under ambient room temperature (below 25°C) and lighting conditions.
How many treatments does Taxotere have?
This means that you have these drugs and then a rest to allow your body to recover. You have up to 4 cycles. Each cycle lasts 3 weeks (21 days), so it takes about 3 months. You have docetaxel as a drip into your bloodstream over an hour.
How long does it take to recover from Taxotere?
According to the medication insert, about six out of 92 patients experienced severe fluid retention even after premedication. These patients had to have the fluid drained. The condition is sometimes slow to reverse. It took about 16 weeks from the last infusion to completely resolve in some patients.
Do you always lose your hair with Taxotere?
Most people will lose all their hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes and body hair. You may begin to lose your hair about two weeks after the first treatment, but it can happen earlier. Hair loss is usually gradual but it can happen very quickly, possibly over a couple of days.
Which is stronger Taxol or Taxotere?
According to an article recently published in the Annals of Oncology, longer follow-up results indicate that the chemotherapy agent Taxotere® (docetaxel) remains superior to the chemotherapy agent Taxol® (paclitaxel) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer among patients who have received prior therapy with ...
How long does TC chemo take?
You will have chemotherapy as a course of several sessions (or cycles) of treatment over a few months. Each cycle of TC takes 21 days (three weeks). You will have the chemotherapy drugs on the first day of each cycle and this is followed by a rest period.
Will my hair grow back after Taxotere?
Taxotere Hair Loss Hair loss is a well-known outcome of chemotherapy treatment, but hair is normally expected to grow back within 3-6 months after stopping treatment.
What are the cumulative side effects of Taxotere?
Side EffectsPain or swelling at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive tearing, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, feeling drunk, constipation, and loss of appetite may occur. ... Temporary hair loss and nail changes may occur. ... This medication can decrease your body's ability to fight an infection.More items...
Is second round of chemo worse than first?
Overall, my second round of chemo went much better than the first... thanks to an adjustment Dr. Soule made based on my round one experience (she extended my steroid to be taken for three days after chemo, instead of just one, though with smaller doses on each day).
Does Taxotere cause weight gain?
If you notice swelling in the feet and legs or a slight weight gain, inform your doctor or nurse. Taxotere may cause fluid retention which means the body is holding extra water. If this fluid retention is in the chest or around the heart it can be life-threatening.
When will the Taxotere lawsuit be settled?
As of March 2022, Taxotere litigation is still pending and there are 11,979 hair loss lawsuits and 14 lawsuits for vision problems in Louisiana federal court. There have been no Taxotere lawsuit payouts to date.
Is there an alternative to Taxotere?
"These results suggest that weekly nab-paclitaxel may be an appropriate alternative to docetaxel (Taxotere) in the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer," Gradishar said.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not receive Taxotere if you have a low white blood cell (WBC) count, or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to docetaxel or...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your injection, or if you miss a dose of your steroid medication.
What Should I Avoid While Receiving Taxotere?
Taxotere may impair your thinking or reactions for a short time after each injection. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to b...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Taxotere?
Taxotere contains alcohol. Using other drugs that can make you sleepy can worsen the feeling of being drunk. Ask your doctor before taking a sleepi...
How is taxotere given?
How Taxotere Is Given: Taxotere is given through a vein (intravenously, IV) There is no pill form of Taxotere. Premedication with a corticosteroid pill starting a day prior to Taxotere infusion for 3 days is given to reduce the severity of fluid retention and allergic reactions. Your doctor will prescribe the exact regimen.
What is the drug type of taxotere?
Drug Type: Taxotere is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy drug. Taxotere is classified as a "plant alkaloid," a "taxane" and an "antimicrotubule agent.". (For more detail, see "How Taxotere Works" section below).
What is taxotere made of?
Taxotere belongs to a class of chemotherapy drugs called plant alkaloids. Plant alkaloids are made from plants. The vinca alkaloids are made from the periwinkle plant (catharanthus rosea). The taxanes are made from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree (taxus). The vinca alkaloids and taxanes are also known as antimicrotubule agents. The podophyllotoxins are derived from the May apple plant. Camptothecan analogs are derived from the Asian "Happy Tree" (Camptotheca acuminata). Podophyllotoxins and camptothecan analogs are also known as topoisomerase inhibitors. The plant alkaloids are cell-cycle specific. This means they attack the cells during various phases of division.
What happens if you take corticosteroid infusion?
Allergic reactions (rash, flushing, fever, lowered blood pressure). Happens rarely, usually occurs in the first or second infusion. Frequency is reduced by premedication with corticosteroid starting one day before infusion. You will be monitored closely during the infusion for any signs of allergic reaction.
Why is chemotherapy given in cycles?
The scheduling of chemotherapy is set based on the type of cells, rate at which they divide, and the time at which a given drug is likely to be effective. This is why chemotherapy is typically given in cycles. Chemotherapy is most effective at killing cells that are rapidly dividing.
What is chemocare.com?
Chemocare.com is designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www.4thangel.org
What does nadir mean in chemo?
Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
How long does it take for taxotere to get out of your system?
This drug requires many days to be expunged from your body since its so-called “elimination half-life” is 86 hours. In other words, your body requires three days and a half on average to get rid of 50% of this substance. As a consequence, Taxotere stays in your body for a whole week after infusion, and that’s why it is usually provided in one-week ...
What is taxotere used for?
This drug is used to treat many aggressive or advanced malignancies such as prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer.
How long does it take to infuse docetaxel?
Docetaxel must be administered intravenously very slowly, over the course of a one-hour long infusion.
Can Taxotere cause hair loss?
Common side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, and fluid retention can be coupled with potentially lethal ones such as severe anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia if Taxotere levels become too high.
Is taxotere a cancer drug?
As if the condition itself wasn’t enough already, even the drugs administered to give patients a chance to survive come with a plethora of burdensome side effects. Taxotere (docetaxel) is a potent chemotherapy agent from the taxane class that acts by disrupting cellular division.
How long does taxotere last?
What to Expect During Treatment. Health care providers administer Taxotere through an IV for one hour ever three weeks, according to the drug’s label. Depending on the type of cancer, this can continue for several cycles.
How many ml of taxotere is used for cancer?
Sometimes, doctors may combine the drug with another chemotherapy drug. This is called adjuvant therapy. The medication comes in single use vials of 20/mg/mL and 80 mg/4 mL. Doctors tailor the dose to each patient.
How Does Docetaxel Work?
Chemotherapy drugs work by stopping cancer cells from dividing. Specifically, Taxotere works by “freezing” microtubules in a cancer cell , according to Sanofi’s 2017 annual report.
What is taxotere made of?
Taxotere is made from bark of the Pacific Yew tree. In clinical studies, researchers found Taxotere increased survival and increased the time it took for tumors to progress compared to other drugs, including mitomycin/vinblastine and doxorubicin, according to the drug’s label. Because the active ingredient, docetaxel, is a strong chemotherapy drug, ...
Which is better, Taxotere or Paclitaxel?
According to studies, Taxotere showed more benefits to survival than Taxol (paclitaxel), another chemotherapy drug in the same class. Researchers also found docetaxel was more cost effective.
What are the side effects of Taxotere?
The list of common Taxotere side effects is long, and some reactions to the drug are serious. The most common side effects are low white and red blood cell counts. In clinical trials these occurred in more than 30 percent of patients, according to Chemocare.
When was docetaxel approved?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration originally approved the drug in 1996. It treats several types of tumors, including breast, lung, stomach, prostate, and head and neck cancer. Doctors may prescribe the drug alone or with other chemotherapy drugs. Although the medication is available in a generic version, docetaxel, ...
How does docetaxel work?
Docetaxel works by disrupting the microtubular network in cells, which is essential for cell division and other normal cellular functions. Docetaxel interferes with the function of microtubules, resulting in inactive microtubule bundles, causing cells to die.
How to deal with fatigue after cancer treatment?
While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. Plan times to rest during the day and conserve energy for more important activities. Exercise can help combat fatigue; a simple daily walk with a friend can help. Talk to your healthcare team for helpful tips on dealing with this side effect.
How long does it take for hair to fall out after alopecia?
Loss or Thinning of Scalp and Body Hair (Alopecia) Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarm, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs.
Can docetaxel cause liver problems?
This medication can cause severe side effects if given to a patient whose liver function is abnormal. Your labs will be closely monitored prior to each dose of docetaxel and the dose may be decreased or held if your liver function is not normal.
Can you give a corticosteroid before a cancer infusion?
The dosage and schedule are determined by the person's size and type of cancer. It can be given alone or with other drugs. You will be given a corticosteroid prior to the infusion to prevent severe fluid retention and allergic reactions.
Can docetaxel cause swelling?
Docetaxel can cause your body to hold too much fluid, which can be a serious side effect. Medications will be given before each treatment to decrease the risk of this side effect. Call your healthcare provider if you do not urinate for more than 12 hours, experience shortness of breath, have an unexpected weight gain, or develop swelling in your hands, feet, ankles or legs.
What is taxotere used for?
Taxotere (docetaxel) is an antineoplastic agent used as chemotherapy to treat a number of types of cancer. It is used in combination with other drugs such as cisplatin, fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide and prednisone and is approved to treat:
What are the side effects of taxotere?
The common side effects of Taxotere may include: Infections. Anemias. Difficulty breathing. Constipation or diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting. Inflammation of the skin. Inflammation of mucous membranes. Muscle pain.
What happens if you lose hair during chemo?
These patients have permanent alopecia and may have experienced negative consequences due to that hair loss. Patients who lose hair during chemotherapy often face psychological challenges, even when that hair loss is temporary. When hair loss has become permanent, patients may experience: Anxiety. Low self-esteem.
What is the black box on Taxotere?
A black box warning is the most severe warning that can be issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is required to be printed in a box enclosed by a thick, black border at the top of all prescribing information. Taxotere’s black box warning states that it may result in:
Where is the Taxotere lawsuit?
Federal Taxotere hair loss lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL 2740) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The MDL lawsuit may include 10,000 or more cases but other lawsuits may have been filed in local and state courts as well.
How long does it take for hair to grow back after chemo?
In most cases, hair that is lost during treatment for cancer will grow back within 3 to 6 months after the treatment is discontinued.
Does taxotere go away?
In most cases, drug side effects are mild to moderate and may go away with time. Taxotere is a medication used for chemotherapy treatment of cancer which are serious medical conditions. Most of the side effects of Taxotere may be more severe than those of other medications.
How often is Taxotere hair loss permanent?
Reportedly, a 2006 study showed that 6.3 percent of breast cancer patients who took Taxotere grew back less than 50 percent of their hair, especially when it was combined with other cancer drugs like Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide).
What is Taxotere?
Taxotere is a breast cancer chemotherapy drug that is delivered intravenously. It is also known by its generic name, docetaxel. It has been available since the 1990s. It is used to treat a range of cancers, including breast cancer, but some are concerned about Taxotere side effects.
What are Taxotere side effects?
Like many chemotherapy treatments, Taxotere may cause hair loss . The warning label on the drug reportedly warns patients that hair loss may result from Taxotere use, but says that hair “generally grows back” after treatment has been completed.
Do studies support the link between Taxotere side effects and permanent hair loss?
A number of studies suggest that there is a link between Taxotere use and permanent hair loss. Additionally, patients have made claims that after they took the drug for their cancer treatment, their hair loss did not return, as promised, and is usually expected from a breast cancer chemotherapy drug.
Where to call Taxotere in Boston?
When you’re ready, call the Taxotere attorneys in the Boston area at Dalimonte Rueb. Your attorney will handle your claim. They will also pull together research results and other evidence as well as negotiate on your behalf. Call in today and arrange for a full review of your possible case with Dalimonte Rueb.
Is chemotherapy a drug?
To the unfamiliar person, chemotherapy seems like one drug option. However, after undergoing treatment and speaking with an experienced oncology team, it’s clear that that’s not true. Instead, people have a small handful of drug options. For breast cancer, the high makes the drug voice seem less critical.
Is taxotere a long term drug?
Long-Term and Irreversible Effects of Taxotere. Taxotere is one of many breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. It’s an option that, over the last twenty years, medical teams and patients believed was the best course of action. However, as more people used the drug, it was clear that the manufacturers hid that some side effects of Taxotere were permanent.
Does taxotere cause hair loss?
Because of the permanent nature of hair loss with Taxotere, it’s likely that the damage lies directly within the hair cells. While your body certainly produces new hair, and hair can regrow when the hair cell sustains damage that regrowth stops. Inner hair cells within the ear are most likely to experience hair cell damage.
Can you regrow hair after chemotherapy?
Unable to Regrow Lost Hair. During chemotherapy, hair loss goes far beyond losing the hair on your head. You can also lose vital hair. Understanding that your eyelashes play an important role in eye safety, it’s worrisome when you lose them.
Should You Contact an Attorney in Boston for Permanent Effects of Taxotere?
From immune-compromised situations to understanding that your hair may never return, it’s a rough road ahead. If you were not fully instructed on the likely effects of Taxotere, then you may have a chance to get some compensation for your reduction in quality of life.
What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a general term for pain and discomfort and other conditions caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerves are nerves that control the functions of sensation, motor coordination, and movement.
Symptoms of Docetaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Neuropathy is one of the most common long-term side effects of docetaxel.
Diminished Quality of Life in Patients
The study indicates that nerve pain is the most severe and distressing symptom in those receiving docetaxel. These participants also said that their neuropathic symptoms interfere with most of their daily activities. As a result, their quality of life is negatively affected.
How do chemotherapy drugs cause CIPN?
Neuropathy is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Doctors believe it occurs because chemotherapy treatment damages healthy cells, and these may include the nerves.
Nerve Damage Can Be Long-Lasting Even After Chemo
According to a 2017 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, chemotherapy medications like docetaxel and paclitaxel can cause neuropathy symptoms that may last for years.
Patients Should Be Well-Informed
Ganz also said that breast cancer patients may not expect to have these side effects from their treatment.
Risk Factors
When it comes to chemo drugs, the risk of developing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) increases with higher doses, multiple courses, and combination chemotherapy.