Taxotere Side Effects

The two most common side effects of taking the chemotherapy drug Taxotere are low white blood cell count (neutropenia) and anemia. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, clinical trials found that 98% of breast cancer patients with normal liver function and 100% of those with elevated liver function who received 100 mg/m2 of Taxotere experienced neutropenia.

Even at a lower dosage of 60 mg/m2, taking the drug resulted in neutropenia in 95% of patients with normal liver function, or NLF. Severe neutropenia was a side effect with a 100 mg/m2 dosage in 84% of patients with NLF. Anemia rates are nearly as high, occurring in 95% of patients with NLF and 94% of patients with elevated liver function, or ELF. However, the rate drops significantly to 65% in those with NLF who receive the lower dose.

Clinical trials demonstrate that Taxotere treatment for any tumor type commonly results in the following side effects and prevalence rates for those with NLF.

Taxotere combined with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide leads to side effects not seen when used alone, including amenorrhea in 62% of patients, constipation in 34%, neuropathy in 26% and anorexia in 22%.

Low White Blood Cell Counts

As with other chemotherapy drugs, low white blood cell counts is the most common adverse effect for patients taking Taxotere. Almost all patients experience neutropenia, and 85% of those on a 100 mg/m2 dose see a severe decline in white blood cell counts. Severe neutropenia increases the risk of infections. This increased risk leads doctors to reduce dosing or pause treatment until counts return to an acceptable number.

White blood cell counts are usually at their lowest point between 10-14 days after treatment. Those with milder neutropenia often see their counts increase to safer levels before they receive their subsequent treatment. People with cancer are almost three times as likely to die from infection compared to those who don’t have cancer, and patients receiving chemotherapy have the highest risk.

Docetaxel, the active ingredient in Taxotere, primarily causes temporary adverse reactions. These impacts resolve on their own or with treatment. However, patients taking Taxotere are at risk of long-term side effects that may take months to resolve or, in some cases, seem permanent.

One of the most common conditions is neuropathy. A study involving more than 1,000 women with early-stage breast cancer found that 15% of those who survived breast cancer experienced peripheral neuropathy for one to three years after receiving docetaxel. According to a 2022 research report, women with invasive breast cancer receiving docetaxel were most likely to have muscle weakness in their legs and blurred vision.

Notably, though hair loss is common in patients receiving chemotherapy treatment, it is usually temporary. However, alopecia is a permanent hair loss condition. Research in the U.K. suggests that almost a quarter of women using Taxotere could experience long-term hair loss, with 23.3% of the women in the study suffering from alopecia. Postmenopausal women may be at higher risk.

Though the Taxotere drug sheet does identify alopecia as a possible side effect, there are 10,607 lawsuits against Taxotere’s maker, Sanofi. Plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer knew of the alopecia risk but failed to warn them sufficiently.

The potential for Taxotere side effects is significant. In addition to the common and long-term effects identified, patients receiving the chemotherapy treatment are at risk of other possible adverse effects. The greatest risks seem to occur in combination with other agents, such as doxorubicin or cyclophosphamide.

People who have ELF are also more vulnerable to potential side effects. For example, febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia are less common in patients with NLF, while patients with ELF frequently experience these conditions.

These side effects, though rare, are often distressing and painful or uncomfortable. Patients may request treatment discontinuation, or physicians may need to pause treatment to address and clear up the presenting condition. However, these conditions are usually short-term and treatable.

Epiphora: Taxotere Eye Problem Risk

Taxotere patients receiving weekly dosages may have a higher risk of epiphora than those who undergo treatment every three weeks. However, according to a 2021 review, the prevalence of epiphora between patients receiving treatment once a week and those receiving it every three weeks was not statistically significant (41.22% and 34.15%, respectively).

Canalicular stenosis, which causes partial or total tear duct blockage, may be the underlying cause of epiphora. Patients report a reduced quality of life, as the condition interferes with daily activities such as reading, driving or watching TV. Nearly 200 patients have filed lawsuits against Sanofi.

Fluid Retention

Severe fluid retention, particularly in the extremities, is an uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening condition primarily affecting patients receiving treatment for breast cancer. Research indicates that the underlying cause may be capillary hyperpermeability, which allows fluids to pass through the vein walls.

According to the FDA, moderate fluid retention occurred in 27.2% of patients pretreated with corticosteroids. Another 6.5% experienced severe fluid retention. However, according to a 2023 study published in Scientific Reports, treating patients with high doses of dexamethasone may significantly decrease symptoms or prevent fluid retention.

Infusion Reactions

Initial research into docetaxel indicated that patients frequently experienced infusion reactions, leading to steroid and antihistamine pretreatment. However, despite the precaution, research suggests that approximately 10% of patients still have an adverse reaction within minutes of injection, with 1% having a severe infusion reaction.

The most common symptoms include flushing, throat tightness, dyspnea and hypotension. Rarer symptoms include back and chest pain. Some patients experience rashes that occur anywhere from hours to weeks after receiving an infusion. Infusion reactions most often arise after the first or second treatment.

Though Taxotere is an effective cancer treatment, finding ways to cope with the side effects is necessary for many patients to continue receiving the medication. Though not everyone responds to Taxotere the same way, all patients should understand the risks and know what to do if they experience symptoms that indicate an adverse reaction.

Side effects vary in time of onset and severity. Those receiving treatment should remain vigilant for unusual symptoms between appointments and after the treatment finishes.

When experiencing milder symptoms, getting sufficient rest and nutrition and engaging in light exercise are essential to helping the body cope. However, it’s necessary to seek immediate medical attention if there are signs of a potentially severe reaction, such as breathing difficulties, a fever, swelling at the injection site or in the extremities, and mouth or throat pain.