Illinois Injury and Mass Tort Lawyer BlogTaxotere Cancer Drug Linked to Permanent Baldness
Cancer is one of the worst medical conditions that a person can suffer. No matter what kind of cancer you have or the stage at which you are diagnosed, the treatment can be painful, lengthy, and difficult for the patient and his or her family. Modern medicine has developed a considerable number of drugs, therapies, and treatments designed to combat cancer and to help soften the blow of symptoms associated with intensive therapies like chemotherapy.
Recently, a well-known cancer drug called Taxotere, primarily used to treat breast cancer, has been linked to permanent hair loss in patients who take the drug as a cancer treatment. A number of lawsuits have already been filed against the drug’s manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis, alleging that the company failed to provide an adequate warning about the potential for suffering permanent hair loss as a result of taking Taxotere.
When it was first released into the market, Taxotere’s label stated that patients’ “hair generally grows back” following completion of the treatment cycle. According to the manufacturer’s own studies, however, roughly three percent of all patients reported experiencing recurring or permanent hair loss. Since it was first approved, the drug has been approved for use in other types of cancer treatment, including gastric cancer, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer.
In December 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration initiated an update for the Taxotere label. The agency stated that the Adverse Events portion of the product’s label would be modified to reflect that incidences of permanent hair loss had been reported.
Since then, a number of lawsuits have been filed against the maker of Taxotere. One case has been filed in the Northern District of Illinois. In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they both received prescriptions for Taxotere following a mastectomy in February 2005. Since taking the drug and completing their respective courses of treatment, both plaintiffs have suffered pervasive and ongoing hair loss.
Another similar lawsuit was filed in the Northern District of Ohio. In this case, the plaintiff alleges similar facts and legal claims regarding experiencing pervasive hair loss after taking Taxotere. Both lawsuits contain allegations that the maker of Taxotere informed patients, government regulatory bodies in foreign states, and physicians that the drug poses a risk of serious hair loss, but failed to disclose this information to individuals in the United States.
If you or someone you love has suffered hair loss as a result of taking Taxotere, you may be entitled to compensation. At Moll Law Group, our dedicated, seasoned, and compassionate team of defective pharmaceuticals lawyers knows what it takes to investigate a complicated medical claim and to prove that the drug manufacturer is liable for your injuries and damages. From our headquarters in Chicago, we service clients nationwide, including in Florida, New York, and Texas. We offer a free consultation to discuss your situation and learn about the courses of action that may be available to you. Call us now at 312-462-1700, or contact us online to set up your free consultation today.
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