New York Drug Injury Attorney
Taxotere (docetaxel) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer and other types of cancer. In addition to the many side effects associated with chemotherapy, Taxotere causes permanent hair loss in some women. While temporary hair loss is an expected side effect, Taxotere carried no warning for permanent hair loss until after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) demanded it in December 2015. Women chose Taxotere due to false claims that it is more effective than a safer drug. If you have suffered permanent hair loss after taking Taxotere, the Law Firm of Panzavecchia & Associates, PLLC. is here to fight for justice for you.
What is Taxotere?
Taxotere is in a class of drugs called taxanes. It is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer and certain other types of cancer. It is approved for treatment of:
- Breast cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Advanced stomach cancer
- Metastatic prostate cancer
Taxotere is being investigated for use in treating other types of cancer.
Unnecessary Suffering
Taxotere maker Sanofi-Aventis made false claims that Taxotere was more effective in treating breast cancer than another taxane drug called Taxol (paclitaxel). Taxol is less toxic than Taxotere. The FDA issued a warning letter, for misbranding, to the drug maker in 2009.
The risk of permanent hair loss, also called alopecia, was known to the company long before it warned American doctors and patients. In Europe, the drug carried a permanent alopecia warning as early as 2009, but the company chose not to warn in the U.S. until the FDA stepped in in 2015 demanding the warning.
Women who chose Taxotere, and the doctors who recommended it, were misled by the false claims and lack of warning. Had they known that there was a safer drug that is just as effective in treating breast cancer, and that Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss, they could have made an informed choice.
Permanent hair loss causes real harm to cancer survivors. If you have suffered permanent hair loss after taking Taxotere, you may be able to recover substantial compensation for your losses and suffering, but you have a limited amount of time to act. Please, call the New York drug injury attorneys of the law firm of Panzavecchia & Associates, PLLC at 888-LAW-2204 or contact us online right away to schedule your free consultation.