Orlando Taxotere Lawyer

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Written and edited by our team of expert legal content writers and reviewed and approved by Attorney Mark O’Mara

Content last updated on: March 22, 2024

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The Claim:

Nothing is worse than receiving the news of a diagnosis of cancer. Survival becomes your only motivation, and you strive to remain in good spirits during the process for your loved ones. Chemotherapy is an inevitable part of the survival process, there, you don’t really have much of a choice. You do however, have options for the chemicals used in your chemotherapy. The manufacturer of Taxotere, a drug used in chemotherapy to treat forms of cancer, Sanofi-Aventis, failed to warn healthcare providers and patients of the potential for permanent hair loss following the use of their product. In a class action lawsuit, it is different than that of a criminal proceeding. A complaint is made, in this case, it would be a complaint made by many patients that have suffered permanent hair loss, and there must by the presence of negligence. In this case, the negligent party would be the manufacturer of Taxotere, and not the physicians, because the physicians were made unaware of the risks. The hospital would be free of responsibility as well, due to the fact that the manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis represented their product as safe (Thomson Reuters, 2017).

What is Taxotere, and Why is it Used?

Taxotere is used to treat the following cancers:

Gastric Cancer- Advanced Stomach Cancer
Prostate Cancer- Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Breast Cancer
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Cancer
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, 2015).

Taxotere is used intravenously in chemotherapy treatments. It is prescribed, and is a member of the family of drugs called Taxanes. Had physicians known of the possible risk of permanent hair loss from using Taxotere, Taxol would have most likely been prescribed instead. Taxol is considered more effective than Taxotere without the risk of permanent hair loss. One of the main purposes of Taxotere is to prevent the spread and growth of cancer cells (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, 2015).

Am I at Risk?

Any patients that have received Taxotere through their chemotherapy treatment are at risk of permanent Alopecia, which is permanent hair loss. Over dosage of Taxotere can result in death. While some adverse side effects of the use of the drug are listed on the company website, the website clearly states that not all side effects are listed there. It is common for hair loss to occur with chemotherapy treatments, however; hair growth usually resumes slowly, after the treatment cycles are completed and the patient is no longer receiving chemotherapy (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, 2015). Patients still under the chemotherapy treatment should ask their doctors if Taxotere is being used in their combination of chemicals administered. Patients under current treatment, should express their concerns to their healthcare provider.

Additional Side Effects

Nausea
Bone, Muscle, or Joint Pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Asthenia – Abnormal Weakness
Fluid retention
Infection
Anemia (Low Red Blood Cell Count)
Sore Throat and Mouth
Neutropenia – Abnormal Low White Blood Cell Count

Taste Changes- Things will not taste as they did before treatment
Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in your fingers and toes)
Changes in Nails- Finger nails and toe nails change color
Weight Gain (From Fluid Retention)
Swelling of Ankles and Abdomen
Hypersensitivity
Neurological Reactions
Eye Disorders –Can further complicate existing or non-existing
Hepatotoxicity – Causing chemical induced liver damag
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Cutaneous Reactions—These are skin reactions such as Rashes and Hives (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, 2015).

The above-mentioned list, is just some of the additional side effects of the use of Taxotere. There are a number more side effects either with or without the use of combining other drugs and chemicals. The manufacturer ran studies and trials prior to approval by the Food and Drug Administration, however; the Sanofi-Aventis/Taxotere website clearly states that many of their studies were broad. The site claims that the broadness of the studies vary from number of test subjects during a trial, and the time frame of the trials, therefore, they are unable to scientifically provide accurate percentages of these adverse side effects from their trials and studies (Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC, 2015).

This lack of control during trials and studies provides a greater number of risks for patients using Taxotere. If you or a loved one has suffered from permanent hair loss following the completed chemotherapy treatment, and were prescribed Taxotere in your combination of chemicals, please consult with your physician, in addition, The O’Mara Law Group can help you with compensation.

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