Update: Buckfire Law is no longer accepting these cases. We regret we cannot assist you. You may want to contact a law firm in your area to see if they will accept your case.
Taxotere (docetaxel) is a cancer chemotherapy drug that was approved by the FDA on October 17, 2006. Treatment is administered intravenously for different cycles and amounts of time, depending on the type of cancer. The FDA approved the anti-cancer drug for the following types of cancer:
- Gastric cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer
Unfortunately, many users have reported adverse side effects after using this drug, including complications that were not listed by the manufacturer. If you suffered adverse side effects after taking Taxotere, you might be able to pursue a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company and drug manufacturers with the help of a tenacious attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. A Michigan Taxotere lawyer could work to investigate the circumstances surrounding your losses and work to determine who is at fault.
What Are the Side Effects of Taxotere?
Many chemotherapy drugs can cause temporary hair loss. This is because these drugs are extremely powerful medications, and although they attack and destroy fast-spreading cancer cells, they also attack other fast-growing cells in the body, such as those responsible for hair growth.
Patients who undergo chemotherapy might notice their hair beginning to fall out, which can range from mild thinning to complete baldness. Hair loss can also occur in places other than the scalp, as some patients experience hair loss in their eyebrows, eyelashes, armpits, or pubic areas. After the conclusion of treatment, hair will begin to grow back. At first, it might grow back with a different texture or slight change in color, but over time it should return to normal.
However, recent reports have indicated that the chemotherapy drug Taxotere has been causing permanent hair loss in some patients. This condition is known as alopecia, and several women have reported that years after Taxotere treatment, their hair had not grown back. A Michigan lawyer who is familiar with claims stemming from Taxotere use could work with a plaintiff to hold the manufacturers of this drug accountable. Furthermore, additional adverse side effects have been cited after the use of this drug, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Bleeding or bruising
- Extreme Fatigue
- Mouth Sores
- Jaundice
- Shortness of breath
Determining Eligibility for Pursuing a Claim
In 2007, manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis issued a press release touting the efficacy of Taxotere, based on a clinical study. However, Sanofi-Aventis failed to inform the FDA, health care providers, and the public that permanent hair loss was observed in a number of the patients taking this drug.
In December 2015, the FDA announced it had ordered Sanofi-Aventis to change Taxotere’s label to warn patients of the risk of permanent hair loss. Unfortunately, many people have already used this product without knowing the extent of possible side effects. However, to file a valid lawsuit, the following criteria—which could be assessed by a Michigan Taxotere lawyer—must be met:
- Diagnosed with stage 1 or 2 breast cancer
- Underwent chemotherapy as part of treatment
- Taxotere was used in chemo
- Hair loss occurred where hair has not returned and chemo treatment was completed at least six months prior
- Must have photos of hair loss before and after
- Hair loss includes eyebrows and eyelashes
Call a Michigan Taxotere Attorney for Legal Help
If you or a loved one was has suffered adverse side effects or a worsened medical condition after taking Taxotere, you are likely to feel traumatized, confused, and unsure of your legal options. However, by enlisting the help of a Taxotere lawyer, a legal professional could help to clarify your legal rights, answer your questions, and work tirelessly to determine if you have grounds for a legal claim.
If so, a hardworking attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. could begin to file a claim on your behalf. To learn more, call today to schedule a consultation.
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