Taxotere Permanent Hair Loss

DID YOUR BREAST CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT RESULT IN YOUR PERMANENT BALDNESS?

Several Taxotere lawsuits were filed alleging that the makers of a chemotherapy drug used to fight breast cancer, among other cancers, failed to warn women of the side effects and risk for permanent alopecia (loss of hair).

All Taxotere lawsuits were centralized in a Louisiana federal court in October 2016 by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. At the time the Taxotere mass tort was established, 33 Taxotere lawsuits had been filed in federal courts around the country, all alleging that their hair never grew back after taking the breast cancer chemotherapy drug.

The Taxotere permanent hair loss patients allege in their lawsuits that drugmaker Sanofi Aventis knew of this serious side effect but hid the problem from doctors and patients, all while claiming that the breast cancer chemo drug was superior to other breast cancer treatment options.

Investigating attorneys allege that the manufacturers knew that Taxotere was linked to a permanent hair loss rate of up to 10 percent occurring in Phase II clinical trials in 2005 but failed to update the labels and warn patients until 2016.

The FDA adverse reactions list includes reported cases of permanent scalp alopecia resulting from Taxotere use.

You may be entitled to significant legal compensation, if you suffered hair loss that lasted longer than 6 months after breast cancer treatment with Taxotere. Contact us immediately to learn your legal options.

TAXOTERE ADVERSE EFFECT STUDIES

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed reported cases of permanent alopecia linked to Taxotere, but what other scientific studies support a causal link between taking the chemotherapy drug and permanent hair loss?

Long Term Hair Loss: The NCRI Cancer Conference found participants with early breast cancer who were given docetaxel (Taxotere) had a 15.8 percent rate of persistent scalp hair loss with a number of patients reporting loss of eyebrows with no regrowth, loss of eyelash hair, nostril hair and leg hair with no regrowth of the affected areas. Patients who were part of the study reported a significant impact on their quality of life as result of the Taxotere adverse effects suffered.

Chemo Induced Alopecia: The manufacturer of the Taxotere, Sanofi-Aventis, has stated that permanent loss of hair is rare for Taxotere patients. However, the manufacturer reported an incidence rate of 9.2 percent for Taxotere long-term hair loss to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2005. However, Taxotere litigation filed cites the drug maker’s failure to warn patients properly of the risks and not having updated the label of all Taxotere side effects.

Permanent Scalp Alopecia: Additionally, a 20 person Taxotere study was conducted, published in the Annals of Oncology, on caucasian females with hair loss in which no spontaneous regrowth of scalp hair was noted in the affected women who were being treated for breast cancer with a docetaxel regimen. The biopsy and Taxotere study ruled out causal factors such as iron or zinc deficiency, thyroid disorders, and hyperandrogenism. Treatments to regrow the hair proved ineffective, and the baldness found to be permanent.

Other possible Taxotere side effects include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue & Weakness
  • Anemia
  • Fluid retention, weight gain and swelling
  • Pain in bones, muscles and joints

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A TAXOTERE LAWSUIT?

Despite the recently reported findings, the manufacturer has not issued a Taxotere recall at this time over alopecia risks. A pending Taxotere lawsuit has been filed, and our product liability lawyers expect that the number of women who come forward who have been affected and wish to file a Taxotere lawsuit will increase as more information becomes public.

You are limited in the time you have to file a Taxotere claim. It is vital that you act now. Depending on when you suffered your potentially Taxotere caused injuries, your time may be running out. The statute of limitations in your state may restrict your ability to file a Taxotere lawsuit, if you don’t act now.

If you suffered hair loss longer than 6 months following the end of your treatment, contact us immediately to speak with a Taxotere attorney about your legal options. There is no obligation or costs to you unless you win compensation.

NO FEES

Unless we win!

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