Hi all,
I am a breast cancer patient. I am undergoing chemotherapy sessions now. I was just doing some research about my disease, it’s various side effects and different medicines that are given. And that is when I came across this shocking article, [Link removed, as it was a business solicitation by a law firm seeking potential clients to file lawsuits]. It is about a drug called Taxotere, which is given to women during diagnosed with breast cancer, it is a chemotherapy drug. But, it is said that women who undertake this drug are likely to have permanent hair loss. Could this be really true? The most shocking part is that the manufacturers of this drug did not warn about this side effect. Now, what can be done about this? Does that mean I will become bald forever? I think the manufacturers of this drug should have given some prior warning, and they should be liable for this. Being bald forever is something that no woman wishes for, and it is very difficult to be in that condition forever. Has anyone heard of this yet, what do you all know about this?
Does anyone know about this? - 1290229
jamie01
![]()
Posts:1
Forums
Reply # - February 28, 2017, 07:34 AM
Hi jamie01,
Hi jamie01,
Welcome to GRACE. Yes, we are aware that there are attorneys who have alleged that proper warnings were not given that Taxotere (docetaxel) may cause permanent hair loss. Many chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. Although I do not know the percentage of cases in which hair loss caused by Taxotere has proved to be permanent, but it is not accurate to say that it is "likely" to cause permanent hair loss. As a retired attorney, I can tell you that the argument underlying many of these types of lawsuits is not the potential harm caused by a product, but the failure of the manufacturer to warn of that possibility.
Consistent with the policies of the GRACE forums, I have removed the link you provided, since it is a solicitation by a law firm seeking clients to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer. The linked page contains factual allegations not necessarily supported by scientific evidence; essentially it is the argument being made by attorneys to support their case.
If you are currently taking Taxotere and are concerned about hair loss, it might be good to talk to your doctor about an alternative therapy.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - March 10, 2017, 01:01 PM
Are Taxotere and docetaxel
Are Taxotere and docetaxel the same drug, or are they both just linked to the same potential side effects?
Does this drug go by any other name?
I am trying to do my research into specific drugs and their side effects, so if there is a resource for this type of information would be greatly appreciated.
It also seems like based on your comment these accusations are not verified. Is there a reliable method to find out the difference between correlation and causation for reported symptoms?
Reply # - March 10, 2017, 06:49 PM
Hi celineg,
Hi celineg,
Welcome to GRACE. Yes, Taxotere and docetaxel are the same drug; with Taxotere being the predominant brand name product, although in some areas of the world it may be marketed under other names.
Information on side effects noted in clinical trials can be found in the official prescribing information, such as this for Taxotere: http://products.sanofi.us/Taxotere/taxotere.html For any other drug, just search the web for "[drug name] prescribing information" and you should find it.
As I stated above, what the attorneys in the planned lawsuits have alleged and will seek to prove is that the drug manufacturer knew that permanent hair loss was significantly likely to occur but that it failed to provide an adequate warning of that alleged fact. Only a verdict at the close of a trial will provide the answer.
When researching side effects, the best information as to frequency and severity of side effects comes from clinical trial evidence, so that's what you should seek.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - March 17, 2017, 02:49 PM
Thank you so much for your
Thank you so much for your detailed response.
Between this and your other response on another thread, I hope that I can find accurate information.
Thank you again!