In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Taxotere to treat different types of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and head and neck cancer. In addition to the wanted effect of stopping or slowing the growth of cancer cells, Taxotere can also have serious unwanted side effects.
Known Taxotere Side Effects
The reported side effects of Taxotere include:
- Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Swelling
- Trouble urinating or pain while urinating
- Blood in urine or stool
- Black or tarry stool
- Constipation
- Fever
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeat
- Hives or rash
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Chest pain
- Low or high blood pressure
- Infections
- Anemia
- Fluid retention
- Hair loss
According to Taxotere’s black box warning, five side effects are potentially serious or fatal: toxic death, low blood cell counts, liver toxicity, fluid retention, and hypersensitivity reactions.
You may experience all, some, or none of these side effects.
Taxotere Side Effect Lawsuits
Cancer-fighting medications often produce side effects. If the drug manufacturer designed a reasonably safe drug, manufactured the medicine according to the reasonably safe design, and warned patients of potential side effects, then you do not have a lawsuit against the drugmaker for the side effects that you suffered.
However, many women have filed lawsuits against Sanofi-Aventis, the maker of Taxotere, for a Taxotere side effect that they allege they didn’t know about and didn’t have to suffer.
Specifically, more than 9,000 women have filed lawsuits alleging that:
- They suffered alopecia or permanent baldness after taking Taxotere
- They suffered significant emotional distress because of their permanent hair loss
- They were not warned that alopecia was a potential side effect
- Sanofi-Aventis had information that Taxotere could cause permanent baldness and did not share that information
- Sanofi-Aventis promoted Taxotere as being safer than other forms of breast cancer treatments
- They would have taken other cancer-fighting medications that were just as effective as Taxotere if they had been warned about the risk.
Alopecia can impact women’s self-esteem, personal relationships, and work. Many women are embarrassed and try to keep hair loss a secret so that they are not treated differently or judged unfairly. The weight of this burden creates an emotional burden that makes permanent baldness far more than a cosmetic issue.
Do You Have a Taxotere Side Effect Lawsuit?
Temporary hair loss is an expected side effect of cancer-fighting drugs, but you couldn’t have anticipated your permanent hair loss and the emotional suffering that comes with it.
If you took Taxotere before December 2015 and you suffer alopecia, then you may be able to pursue a lawsuit. Your time to pursue a claim is limited and may soon expire. Accordingly, it is essential for you to contact a mass tort lawyer immediately to discuss your legal options.
You may be able to join other plaintiffs in multidistrict ligation to protect your rights. If you choose to join a multidistrict litigation case or mass tort lawsuit, then you will remain in control of your own legal recovery. You and other plaintiffs may share in the costs of litigation, but only you will be able to settle your claim or decide whether to take your case to trial.
Mass tort cases are complicated and can be challenging to win, but they are important not only to your own personal recovery but also to encourage companies to produce safe drugs and to warn people about known side effects.
Keefe Disability Law is committed to helping people hurt by dangerous medications pursue fair and just recoveries. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will provide you with a thorough and honest review of your case so that you can make an informed decision about what steps to take next. Unlike the drug company, we will make sure that you know all of the benefits and potential costs of your decision so that you can make the decision that is right for you.
Are You Looking for a Mass Tort Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you have been injured by dangerous drugs you need to speak with an experienced mass torts lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
|
Related Links: |
