An Ohio 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 form of chemotherapy used to treat breast, prostate, stomach, lung, and head and neck cancer. While temporary hair loss can be a common side effect of chemotherapy treatments, Taxotere has been allegedly linked to permanent, disfiguring hair loss. Affected patients and their families may be eligible to file an Ohio Taxotere lawsuit and pursue compensation for damages.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Ohio 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.
Important: The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.
What is Taxotere and How Does It Work?
Taxotere, also known by its generic name docetaxel, is a prescription anti-cancer chemotherapy medication. Taxotere is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head and neck cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer.
Taxotere is known as a plant alkaloid and is derived from the Pacific yew tree. The medication works by targeting rapidly dividing cells in the body and stopping the process of cell division.
Taxotere and Permanent Hair Loss
Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs do not know the difference between normal, rapidly dividing cells and cancerous ones. Once chemotherapy treatment cycles have ended, normal cells begin to grow back, however, some side effects may occur as a result of losing those cells. Temporary hair loss is one of those side effects.
In December 2015, the FDA released safety information regarding new information about cases of permanent alopecia (hair loss) reportedly linked to Taxotere.
According to a study published in the medical journal, Annals of Oncology, twenty women who were treated for breast cancer with Taxotere were reported to have developed irreversible scalp alopecia. All patients showed hair loss within two weeks of the first treatment as well as hair regrowth within four to six months. However, the regrowth of hair was clearly incomplete, marked by thinning hairs and absence of fibrosis.
As a result of these findings, the authors warn that physicians and patients should be aware of this new distressing side effect, considering the increasing role of taxane based therapies (such as Taxotere) to treat cancer.
Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Claims
An Ohio Taxotere hair loss lawsuit has been filed against drug makers Sanofi S.A. claiming that, in opposition to the drug maker’s claims of superior efficacy, post market surveillance has shown that the more potent and more toxic Taxotere does not provide increased efficacy or advantages over other taxanes. Likewise, the lawsuit alleges that the drug maker concealed the existence of studies from the FDA, physicians, and patients that confuted the drug maker’s claims.
The lawsuit further alleges that Sanofi S.A. failed to exercise reasonable care in the designing, researching, manufacturing, supplying, promoting, packaging, sale, and/or distribution of Taxotere. Furthermore, the drug maker failed to assure that the product would not cause users to suffer unreasonable, dangerous side effects, including personal injuries that are permanent and lasting in nature such as disfiguring permanent alopecia, mental anguish, and diminished enjoyment of life.
Taxotere Side Effects
Common side effects of Taxotere include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Injection site reactions such as pain, redness, or swelling
- Feeling weak or tired
- Muscle pain
- Missed menstrual periods
- Fingernail or toenail changes
Other Taxotere Risks
Patients who have certain abnormal liver function tests may be at a greater risk of severe side effects, including problems associated with white blood cells and blood platelets, infection, mouth inflammation, skin toxicity, or death. Patients who experience a rash; hives; reddening of the skin; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue; severe dizziness; or trouble breathing or swallowing are advised to seek medical attention at once.
How an Ohio 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 an Ohio Taxotere hair loss lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Ohio. 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.
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