A Florida Taxotere hair loss lawsuit may be an option for chemotherapy patients who took Taxotere and suffered permanent hair loss. Taxotere, also called docetaxel, is a type of chemotherapy cancer treatment used to treat some forms of cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. Temporary hair loss is a common side effect of some chemotherapy medications, however, complete and permanent hair loss has been linked to the use of Taxotere. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a Florida Taxotere lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Florida today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Taxotere?
Taxotere is a type of chemotherapy treatment used to treat breast cancer, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. The drug may be used by itself or in conjunction with other chemotherapeutic drugs to treat specific types and stages of cancer. Taxotere belongs to a class of drugs called taxanes, chemical compounds derived from the Pacific yew tree.
Taxotere works by stopping cancer cells from dividing and multiplying, blocking the growth of certain types of cancers. Because chemotherapy treatments target all rapidly-forming cells, patients will experience a loss of healthy cells as well as cancerous ones.
Taxotere and Permanent Hair Loss
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released updated safety information in 2015 noting that cases of permanent hair loss related to the use of Taxotere have been reported.
A study published in the American Journal of Dermatopathology indicated that there is increased evidence that certain chemotherapy regimens can cause dose-dependent permanent alopecia (hair loss). Likewise, research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Conference showed significant hair loss reported by patients who responded to a questionnaire regarding Taxotere and its connection with patient hair loss.
Many people, especially women treated for breast cancer, who have allegedly experienced the effects of permanent hair loss after being treated for cancer with Taxotere may find it difficult to cope with their condition.
Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Claims
Lawsuits filed in early 2016 allege that drug maker Sanofi S.A. made claims of Taxotere’s superior efficacy, when post market surveillance has shown that Taxotere does not offer increased efficacy or benefits over other medications. The lawsuit further alleges that as a result of the drug maker’s claims, thousands of individuals were exposed to more severe side effects, including permanent alopecia (hair loss).
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter sent to drug maker Sanofi-Aventis in 2009 requested that the drug maker immediately cease the dissemination of misleading statements suggesting the efficacy of Taxotere compared to other cancer drugs.
Additionally, lawsuits allege that although the drug maker published information in other countries to patients and regulatory agencies related to the possible connection between Taxotere and permanent hair loss, those warnings do not appear on any information published by the drug maker in the United States. As a result, the lawsuit claims that thousands of individuals were unable to make an informed decision as to whether the benefits of Taxotere over other treatment options was justified.
Taxotere Side Effects
Side effects of Taxotere include:
- Changes in white and red blood cell count
- Risk of infection
- Anemia (feeling tired, breathless, or dizzy)
- Bruising and bleeding as a result of the reduction in blood platelets
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet due to peripheral neuropathy
- Joint and muscle pain
- Fluid retention and weight gain
Severe and sometimes deadly side effects have occurred with the use of Taxotere. Patients who have liver problems or receive higher doses of the drug may face a greater risk of potentially serious side effects, including death. Patients with certain forms of lung cancer who have previously been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy are at a greater risk as well.
How a Florida Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Can Help
Drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are accompanied by full and accurate instructions and warnings to guide prescribing doctors and other health care providers in making treatment decisions. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
Patients who are injured by Taxotere may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- The permanency of the injury
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a patient dies from complications after taking Taxotere, family members may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from the loss of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Patients who have suffered severe side effects, including permanent hair loss, after taking Taxotere, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of complications with the drug, are encouraged to seek the advice of a Florida Taxotere hair loss lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Florida. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Florida today.
