A Missouri Taxotere hair loss lawsuit may be an option for chemotherapy patients who were treated with the drug and suffered permanent hair loss. Taxotere is one of the most widely used cancer drugs in the United States; it is renowned for its ability to slow the spread of cancer cells. However, Taxotere has been linked to permanent hair loss in many patients, including women who suffered from breast cancer. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file a lawsuit and recover damages with the help of a Missouri Taxotere hair loss lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Missouri 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 Missouri Taxotere hair loss lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Taxotere?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Taxotere is part of a group of drugs that are popularly referred to as cancer medicines, or antineoplastics in the medical community. Taxotere, also known as Docetaxel, is a powerful antineoplastic that can only be administered intravenously by a medical professional. The drug is used to treat various forms of stomach, breast, prostate, head and neck, and lung cancers, and it works by preventing cancerous cells from spreading to the rest of the body and inhibiting their growth. The drug is sometimes used in conjunction with other cancer medicines, and the drug can be used to treat other, less common types of cancer as well.
Taxotere Side Effects
Before a patient begins Taxotere therapy, it is strongly recommended that they ask questions and voice their concerns with the administering physician. Unfortunately, the destruction of normal, healthy cells often occurs along with the destruction of cancerous cells, leading to a number of potential side effects. Side effects often associated with Taxotere chemotherapy treatments include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Oral ulcers or sores
- Vomiting
- Sore throat and dry mouth
- Headache
These unwanted side effects are caused by the high potency of Taxotere and other drugs in its class.
Taxotere and Permanent Hair Loss
According to a CBS News article, a major manufacturer of Taxotere, Sanofi-Aventis, openly admitted to having knowledge of the potential for hair loss. Prior to this admission, smaller Taxotere studies led some to estimate that permanent hair loss would occur in roughly 6.3 percent of all patients.
Numerous cases of long-lasting, permanent hair loss (also known as alopecia) have been recorded in Taxotere patients around the world. Another prominent study of 687 Taxotere patients revealed that over time, 22 subjects reported permanent hair loss. Another study followed 496 patients over the course of five years, and found that seven of them developed alopecia; Sanofi-Aventis was fully aware of this study and its results.
Warning Label Changes
In December of 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) altered the warning label on Taxotere to reflect the risk of permanent hair loss. Other side effects listed included:
- Respiratory issues
- Eye disorders
- Renal failure
- Metabolic disorders
The label was amended to reflect the aforementioned adverse side effects, but the agency finally acknowledged that permanent alopecia may be a side effect of Taxotere.
Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Claims
In California, a lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturers of Taxotere. The lawsuit, which is one of several being filed against Taxotere makers nationwide, alleges that the manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis hid the fact that the drug is capable of causing permanent hair loss. It points to the fact that the pharmaceutical giant was fully aware of studies linking alopecia and Taxotere, but still failed to alert the public. The same lawsuit also claims that Sanofi-Aventis engaged in illegal marketing tactics while hiding the fact that Taxotere had a higher toxicity level than other drugs in the same class.
How a Missouri 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 Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Missouri. 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.
