By Desiree Housek, Staff Writer
Many women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and took the drug Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug, now face permanent hair loss or baldness. Taxotere is an alternative drug to treat cancer, and though some believe it to be inferior, many women chose to take it due to it being more convenient to take and administer.
Chemotherapy typically causes temporary hair loss, which is expected to grow back. The women who have filed claims allege that the makers of Taxotere, Sanofi-Aventis, failed to adequately warn doctors and patients of the risk of persistent alopecia, in fear of it hurting their sales.
The company is believed to have had knowledge of the risk associated with the drug long before December 2015, which is when the FDA updated the label.
One study states that 3 to 6 percent of those who use Taxotere experience permanent baldness, while another study reports that number to be somewhere between 6 and 10 percent.
Victims have voiced their anger in not being warned of the possible side effects, preventing them from making an informed choice. There are currently other drugs on the market for chemotherapy, which do not pose the same increased risks.
There are currently support groups out there, such as “A Head of Our Time” and “Taxotears,” where woman share their stories, compare research, educate health care providers, and emotionally support one another in this life changing side effect.
If you or a loved one has experienced permanent hair loss or baldness after chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer, we can help you find an experienced drug recall attorney in your area.
