A Massachusetts Taxotere Hair Loss lawsuit may be an option for patients who suffered from permanent hair loss after taking the medication. While chemotherapy treatments such as Taxotere can be effective in destroying cancerous tissues, they are often accompanied by a range of side effects, from gastrointestinal upset to fatigue to hair loss. The hair loss experienced with chemotherapy can affect the emotional, mental and physical health of the patient, particularly when it is permanent. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a Massachusetts Taxotere Hair Loss lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Taxotere Hair Loss lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Taxotere?
According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, one chemotherapy treatment prescribed for breast cancer is Taxotere, also known as docetaxel. It may be given in rounds by itself or in combination with another medication. Taxotere is a common anti-cancer treatment used to help alleviate the symptoms associated with cancer, to slow or halt the progression of invasive tumor cells in the breast, or to prevent the cancer from recurring again.
Changes in body weight, mood, and hair are all to be expected during chemotherapy treatment. In general, women with breast cancer are advised to take proactive measures before treatment starts or in its early stages to manage their hair falling out, since hair loss is such a standard occurrence. While the Susan G. Komen Foundation warns women of likely hair loss, they also state that after the chemotherapy treatments end, their hair will return.
Taxotere and Permanent Hair Loss
According to Chemocare.com, alopecia, or hair loss, as a result of chemotherapy treatments occurs because of the cell-destroying effects that drugs like Taxotere have on even normal cells such as hair follicles. Normal cells and cancer cells alike divide rapidly, but there is a difference. Cancer cells are cells that have lost the ability to stop the division process. The normal cells that generate hair growth stop dividing because the drug targets all cells, not just cancerous ones. This causes the cells to die.
Patients ought to speak openly with their health care providers about the effect that chemotherapy may have on their hair, including when they can expect their hair to begin growing again after the treatment, how they can take good care of their scalp without having hair to shield it and what choices they have for wigs and head coverings while going through chemotherapy.
According to data from the National Cancer Research Institute 2014 Conference, permanent alopecia was reported by many of the 134 people who participated in filling out a questionnaire for a recent study. The data revealed the following:
- No regrowth on their legs was reported by 14 people
- Permanent nostril hair loss affected six people
- Eyebrow loss affected five people
- Eyelashes had failed to regrow for two people
Additionally, permanent loss of scalp hair was reported by 15.8 percent, or 21 people. The researchers concluded that the hair loss was specifically connected to the use of Taxotere and could affect between 10 and 15 percent of patients.
FDA Warnings
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported in December 2015 that permanent alopecia was one unanticipated risk associated with the use of Taxotere. Prior to that, there had been no officially recorded warning of this not uncommon side effect. As such, the label for the drug was changed to add this risk.
Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Claims
Some of those who are suffering from permanent alopecia as a result of Taxotere are taking legal action against the manufacturers of the drug in order to seek compensation for the loss of their physical and emotional well-being that went along with their hair. One woman who is suing for her alopecia claims that the Taxotere manufacturers knowingly took advantage of patients while “hiding side effects, including permanent hair loss, and misrepresenting the drug’s benefits.”
How a Massachusetts Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to File a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Massachusetts. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to 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.
