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Houston Taxotere Lawsuit Attorney

Taxotere Lawsuit 2023 Representation

Over 10,200 lawsuits have been brought against the makers of Taxotere and Docetaxel for concealing the adverse effects of irreversible hair loss. The makers of Taxotere have been facing legal action since 2019. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from Taxotere, you can seek compensation in a Taxotere lawsuit.

With the help of a successful class action lawsuit attorney, you can get justice for your Taxotere injury, alongside countless others, for the adverse side effects you suffered. Our drug injury attorneys are based in Houston, TX, but we are investigating Taxotere claims nationwide.

At Reich & Binstock, our experienced attorneys litigate on behalf of those involved in defective medical device and pharmaceutical injury cases. Our priority is to provide the care and compassion that you deserve for your case, all while fighting aggressively for just compensation. To schedule a consultation with us, please call our Houston office at 713-622-7271 today.

Taxbot

What Is Taxotere?

So what is Taxotere? Sanofi-Aventis manufactures Taxotere (active ingredient: docetaxel), which received authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration in May 1996. Doctors use Taxotere to treat a variety of malignancies.

However, they most often use it to treat patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who have progressed or relapsed after receiving anthracycline-based treatment. In other words, it is a chemotherapy drug used in breast cancer treatment.

Taxotere Is a Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Drug

For those with operable node-positive breast cancer, the medication also acts as an adjuvant therapy in conjunction with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Taxotere works by breaking off the splitting and multiplying of cells in and around a malignant clump, preventing cancerous cells from spreading. Taxotere belongs to a chemotherapy drug family known as taxane drugs, which are derived from plant alkaloids.

Why Are People Filing Taxotere Lawsuits?

taxotere lawsuit

There are two main reasons that a victim may join a Taxotere class action lawsuit or file an individual claim: hair loss and vision damage. Many patients using Taxotere found that they suffered permanent eye damage that studies have linked to the drug.

Because Sanofi-Adventis failed to warn patients and practitioners about the risk even though they knew about it, they are facing thousands of Taxotere lawsuits.

Many of the Taxotere vision damage lawsuits allege that the drug caused patients to suffer permanent damage to their lacrimal system. The lacrimal system is located in the eye, and it is responsible for producing and draining tears.

When the lacrimal system suffers damage, it can result in a lacrimal duct obstruction. This can lead to excessive tearing and other vision problems.

What Is the Status of the Taxotere Lawsuit in 2023?

An increasing number of women and their families have filed lawsuits against Sanofi, the maker of Taxotere, as well as generic manufacturers. They allege that the companies knew of the elevated risk of Alopecia, but neglected to notify customers. This “failure to warn” claim is the main basis for the Taxotere litigation.

Sanofi is also accused of concealing data and studies that connected Taxotere to these negative side effects, according to the plaintiffs. Sanofi did advise customers outside of the United States that Taxotere might cause “permanent hair loss” and potentially Alopecia, but did not notify consumers in the United States.

According to evidence submitted in a lawsuit against Sanofi, the company sought to minimize known hazards to have the medication authorized in 1996. Plaintiffs claim that staff training included imparting false information about Taxotere’s safety and effectiveness, as well as unlawful payments in the form of “kickbacks” to doctors who prescribed the drug.

According to the lawsuits, Sanofi deceived the American public through advertising and marketing that told Taxotere users that hair loss was only temporary and that permanent hair loss was not a concern.

In the lawsuit, plaintiffs also explained that Sanofi did not recognize data collected from the GEICAM 9805 study. This study showed that approximately 9.2% of patients suffered hair loss lasting more than 10 years. While these studies show that Taxotere truly is an effective chemotherapy treatment, they also show that other treatments are just as effective, but without the added risk of permanent hair loss.

Taxotere Lawsuit Updates 2023

Currently, Taxotere hair loss lawsuits and vision damage claims are in the pretrial negotiation period. From here, the cases could either proceed to a settlement or to trial. The Taxotere products liability litigation involves over 10,200 claims, while the eye damage litigation involves around 240 claims. Taxotere litigation is ongoing, and, as of November 14th, 2023, no settlements have been reached.

What Are the Taxotere Lawsuit Allegations?

taxotere lawsuit update 2023

In the Taxotere lawsuit 2023, multiple allegations have been made against the drug and its manufacturers.

Serious allegations include:

  • The drug is defective, as well as unreasonably dangerous.
  • Sanofi-Aventis exhibited negligence in its manufacturing of Taxotere.
  • They failed to test the drug properly, which led to a failure to warn doctors and patients of the potential for alopecia.
  • Sanofi-Aventis hid evidence of the dangers of the drug, as well as misrepresented its safety and effectiveness within their marketing materials.

Is Taxotere Still Used?

Yes. Taxotere is the most often prescribed medication in its class (taxane) for the treatment of breast cancer. Some sources estimate that 75 percent of breast cancer patients will receive Taxotere. However, depending on the future Taxotere lawsuits and their outcomes, this high percentage may begin to fall.

Unlike similar chemotherapy medicines that have weekly treatment schedules, Taxotere has a three-week treatment plan. Taxotere is more appealing to both patients and doctors since it requires fewer visits to the doctor for therapy. Taxotere is also licensed for use outside of the hospital (in dosages of 60-100 mg/m2).

To deal with long infusion periods, similar chemotherapy treatments necessitate hospitalization. Toxic mortality occurs in around 2% of metastatic breast cancer patients and about 11.5 percent of individuals with other tumor types requiring impaired liver function who are on Taxotere, according to the label.

Taxotere Lawsuit Side Effects and Injuries

Taxotere, like any drug, has many side effects associated with its use. Although serious side effects are rare, it is still important for patients to understand the potential risks. The most common side effects of Taxotere include the following.

  • Infection risks
  • Pale complexion and breathlessness
  • Bleeding, bruising, and nosebleeds
  • Appetite loss
  • Allergic reactions
  • Feeling ill
  • Hair loss
  • Ulcers and sores in the mouth
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Diarrhea
  • Nail color changes
  • Hand foot syndrome
  • Muscle pains
  • Build-up of fluids
  • Lacking strength and energy
  • Changes in taste

Not all of the above side effects can be the basis for Taxotere litigation. Generally speaking, victims can file Taxotere lawsuits for the following injuries.

  • Dry eyes
  • Watery eyes or excessive tearing (epiphora)
  • Blurry vision
  • Blocked tear ducts
  • Vision loss
  • Narrowing of tear ducts
  • Eye swelling and irritation
  • Eye surgery
  • Permanent hair loss
  • Permanent alopecia

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Taxotere?

taxotere long term side effects

Alongside the most common side effects of Taxotere, it carries a black box warning for known adverse health effects. The US Food and Drug Administration requires black box warnings, often known as boxed warnings, for some drugs that pose severe safety concerns.

Often, these warnings are intended to convey critical instructions for safe medicine use. Or, they may be used to highlight possibly uncommon but serious adverse effects. Below, we list the black box warnings for Taxotere.

Patients with aberrant liver function, those on larger dosages, those with NSCLC, and those who have previously had platinum-based treatment are at higher risk.

Taxotere therapy causes liver damage owing to chemical exposure. Hepatotoxicity, which is common in individuals with impaired liver function or high LFT, can lead to serious consequences and even death.

The label for Taxotere advises that for certain people, the condition may become severe.

Patients with a low neutrophil count (a kind of white blood cell) are more susceptible to bacterial infections. These bacterial infections, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems and even death.

Patients with neutrophil counts of fewer than 1500 cells per 3 cubic millimeters of blood volume are more likely to develop neutropenia. Therefore, Taxotere should only be used if absolutely required. Doctors are advising patients who are on Taxotere to have their blood levels checked regularly.

Rashes, low blood pressure, and deadly anaphylaxis are all possible reactions. These problems are particularly common in patients who take dexamethasone as a premedication.

Taxotere Vision Damage Claims

taxotere vision loss lawsuits

Patients filing Taxotere vision damage lawsuits allege that Sanofi-Aventis failed to warn them about the possibility of permanent vision damage and other eye problems. They also point out that the warning label fails to tell patients to seek medical attention if they have related side effects.

Some patients underwent multiple surgeries to correct their epiphora (excessive tearing). These surgeries involved inserting tubes into the tear ducts. Even after the surgeries, some patients still found no relief.

Taxotere Watery Eyes

A victim can file a Taxotere eye injury lawsuit against the manufacturer of the chemo drug if they have suffered from symptoms like the following.

  • Vision loss
  • Excessive tearing
  • Eyelid swelling
  • Lacrimal system obstruction
  • Blurry vision
  • Other vision-related problems

If you received Taxotere and subsequently developed vision problems such as those listed above, you may qualify for the Taxotere eye injury litigation.

Canalicular Stenosis from Taxotere

Canalicular stenosis is the narrowing of tear ducts. This condition can cause vision loss, excessive tearing, and even blindness. A patient who received Taxotere and suffered canalicular stenosis or another eye problem could qualify for a Taxotere vision loss lawsuit. For more information about the Taxotere eye injury MDL, contact the attorneys at Reich & Binstock today.

Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit

taxotere hair loss lawsuits

Many women who were administered Taxotere and similar generic chemotherapy drugs are filing Taxotere hair loss lawsuits. These lawsuits allege that Taxotere’s manufacturer failed to warn patients of a known link between docetaxel (Taxotere) and permanent hair loss.

The hair loss lawsuits also claim that the manufacturer marketed Taxotere as a more effective chemo drug than others. However, other chemotherapy drugs performed as well as Taxotere, but without the permanent hair loss risk.

Permanent Hair Loss and Alopecia

Another aspect of the ongoing Taxotere multidistrict litigation is that Sanofi-Aventis assured the public that their hair would grow back after chemo. However, Sanofi knew by 2005 that the drug was linked to permanent alopecia. It even caused patients to suffer permanent hair loss at a higher rate compared to other chemo drugs on the market.

One study conducted in 1998 that Sanofi themselves sponsored revealed that around 9.2% of women using the cancer drug Taxotere would have permanent hair loss or alopecia. Another study conducted in 2006 found that over 6% of women using Taxotere would suffer permanent hair loss or alopecia.

Additionally, Sanofi did warn patients in other countries of the risks of permanent scalp alopecia and hair loss, but did not warn patients in the United States. The Taxotere hair loss lawsuits allege that Sanofi played down these risks and trained their employees to do the same.

Finally, a 2015 lawsuit initiated by a former employee of Sanofi claimed that the company paid illegal kickbacks to doctors. They did this to encourage them to prescribe the medication.

Will My Hair Grow Back After Taxotere?

Most chemotherapy treatments cause temporary hair loss as a side effect. However, the majority of them do not result in total hair loss. According to studies, temporary hair loss has the biggest influence on a patient’s quality of life of all the side effects connected with chemotherapy. Alopecia, or permanent hair loss, has been related to people who use Taxotere for chemotherapy treatment.

Alopecia is a condition that affects all body hair, including eyebrows, eyelashes, facial hair, and pubic hair, and is permanent and irreversible. It has been linked to the usage of Taxotere in several studies.

Alopecia may have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, body image, and despair and anxiety. It may be distressing for women who are already dealing with the effects of breast cancer and chemotherapy.

Alopecia is more than a cosmetic impact for breast cancer sufferers. The illness serves as a daily reminder of the fight against breast cancer. According to a 2012 research published in the Annals of Oncology, women who developed alopecia as a result of Taxotere had “substantial deterioration” in their quality of life.

Who Qualifies for Taxotere Lawsuits?

taxotere class action lawsuit

At Reich & Binstock, we are investigating Taxotere lawsuits nationwide. If you received Taxotere and suffered any of the injuries we discussed above, you may have a valid claim. We will investigate the facts of your claim and help victims seek just compensation.

We strongly encourage you to contact our office to determine if you have a claim. Our team will work with you to gather medical records and other evidence to show Sanofi’s liability as the manufacturer. We will also help you value your claim, file legal paperwork, and represent you in settlement negotiations and in court.

How to File a Taxotere Lawsuit

To file a Taxotere lawsuit, you should speak with an experienced Taxotere injury lawyer. The team at Reich & Binstock has handled Taxotere and other defective drug cases and achieved stellar results for our clients. We have decades of experience holding negligent drug manufacturers accountable for their actions.

By working with a skilled attorney, you can gather evidence like treatment and medical records, proof of receiving Taxotere, photo and video evidence of injuries, oncology records, and other valid forms of proof.

We will also use this information to give you an approximate value of your claim. It can be extremely difficult to value these claims on your own, so we strongly recommend speaking with an attorney about your case.

What Evidence Do I Need for a Taxotere Lawsuit?

In any product liability claim, having solid evidence is a must. Potential forms of evidence in these claims include the following.

  • Eye injury diagnoses
  • Treatment records for chemo
  • Medical bills and records
  • Eye injury treatment records
  • Personal testimony
  • Photos and videos of your injuries
  • Other relevant evidence

How Long Before Taxotere Comes to a Settlement?

how long before taxotere come to a settlement

As of November 2023, no settlements have been reached in the Taxotere lawsuits. However, we may begin to see settlement negotiations in the coming months. Mass tort lawsuits such as these often take years to resolve, and the Taxotere lawsuits are no exception. We recommend speaking with an attorney about your claim to get a better idea of a possible settlement timeline.

Taxotere Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Those eligible for a Taxotere lawsuit took the drug (docetaxel) and developed permanent alopecia.

Below, we include the possible damages you can recover:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Cost of wigs, hairdresser, and hair extensions
  • Disfigurement
  • Current and future lost wages
  • Decrease in earning ability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Other related losses

Experienced Taxotere Injury Lawyers

Contact Reich & Binstock now for a free, confidential, no-obligation case review and Taxotere lawsuit consultation if you or a loved one suffered lifelong disfigurement as a result of the usage of Taxotere or docetaxel. Our Taxotere attorneys will be there for you every step of the way, answering any questions you may have and guiding you through the Taxotere lawsuit process. Call our Houston office at 713-622-7271 today.

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