Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug that is most commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer. Over 2 million women in the U.S. have been prescribed Taxotere since it was approved by the FDA in 1996.
Chemotherapy has saved countless lives and is a mainstay of cancer care. But recent studies indicate that Taxotere may be significantly more dangerous and linked to a greater number of potential side effects than its competitor drug Paclitaxel (known as Taxol and Onxol).
Taxotere and Permanent Hair Loss
One of the most serious and devastating potential side effects of Taxotere use is permanent hair loss (alopecia).
2010: A study by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology warned about an increasing number of reports of permanent chemotherapy-induced hair loss, and blamed Taxotere for some of the cases.
2013: A study published by the National Cancer Research Institute found permanent hair loss as a side effect in 10-15 percent of patients who took Taxotere.
As a result, women have began filing lawsuits against the manufacturer of Taxotere (Sanofi-Aventis) for their failure to warn patients and physicians of the increased risks of permanent hair loss. Attorneys state that if the manufacturer had properly warned of the risks, patients would have been prescribed Taxol, which is more effective than Taxotere and does not result in permanent hair loss.
Click here to learn more about the Taxotere permanent hair loss lawsuit and potential financial compensation for victims.
Taxotere and Fibromyalgia
Other known side effects linked to chemotherapy drugs include:
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Bone, muscle and joint pain
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Fatigue and weakness
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Peripheral neuropathy (numbness in fingers and toes)
For those who were already diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, chemotherapy drugs including Taxotere and Taxol may make their symptoms worse. And some have reported the onset of Fibromyalgia after finishing chemotherapy.
If you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or experienced a significant worsening of your symptoms following chemotherapy, we would love to hear about your experience in the Comments of our Facebook post.
Source: http://request.lawscout.com/taxotere?pid=60682&sid=fibrotoday