Breast cancer patients usually anticipate losing their hair as part of their chemotherapy treatment. However, these women also look forward to the day when their hair grows back because they have beaten breast cancer. Tragically, for some women, that day will never come. The chemotherapy drug, Taxotere, has been linked with alopecia.
Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. For most breast cancer patients, hair loss is temporary. Their hair begins to grow back after chemotherapy stops. For some patients using Taxotere, their hair never grew back.
Why Does Taxotere Cause Permanent Hair Loss?
Taxotere is in a class of drugs that stop cancer cells from spreading by attacking the cells during the cell division process. Taxotere, also sold by the generic form called docetaxel, seemed to be an effective treatment for breast cancer. Because it was only administered to patients once every three weeks instead of once every week, many women chose Taxotere over other breast cancer chemotherapy drugs.
The maker of Taxotere, the drug company Sanofi-Aventis, knew about the potential risk for permanent hair loss but failed to warn patients of this risk. Only after the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning did breast cancer survivors in the United States begin to learn about what could be the cause of their permanent hair loss.
In 2005, Sanofi-Aventis updated the label for Taxotere in Canada to include a warning for the risk of permanent baldness. Again in 2012, the company changed its European label to add the same warning. It was not until 2015 that Sanofi-Aventis began telling American doctors and patients that use of Taxotere could result in permanent hair loss.
Taxotere Lawsuits
Today, hundreds of breast cancer survivors have filed lawsuits against the drug manufacturer for damages related to the use of Taxotere during chemotherapy. These lawsuits seek compensation for the pain and suffering endured by these women in addition to financial losses caused by the hair loss. Our New Orleans defective drug attorneys are working on Taxotere cases to help women recover compensation for their damages.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer and living through chemotherapy is difficult enough. Women should not have the constant reminder of their ordeal every time they look at themselves and see nothing but baldness.
Call A New Orleans Defective Drug Attorney for More Information
If you believe your permanent hair loss was caused by using Taxotere during your breast cancer treatment, contact Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm for a free case evaluation. Contact our office by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation with a New Orleans defective drug attorney.
We want to help you hold the drug manufacturer responsible for your injuries. This company must be held accountable for its negligent actions that have injured hundreds of women across America.