The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered consolidation of all Taxotere hair loss cases on October 2, 2016. The panel noted that nearly 90 cases, alleging permanent hair loss resulting for the use of the chemotherapy drug, Taxotere, have been filed throughout the country. The panel determined that consolidating the cases in the federal court for the eastern district of Louisiana would best serve for the efficient administration of the cases.
Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug most often prescribed to breast cancer patients. The drug is also sometimes used to treat other forms of cancer such as prostate and lung cancer. Temporary hair loss is a common side-effect of many chemotherapy drugs. In late 2015, however, the Food and Drug Administration updated the warning for Taxotere to include possible permanent hair loss, a condition known as Alopecia.
It has been claimed that the maker of Taxotere knew about the risk of permanent hair loss for some time, but failed to timely disclose this risk to patients and physicians. Patients who have been left with permanent hair loss resulting from Taxotere could have explored other treatment options if this risk had been disclosed sooner.
Our law firm is investigating Taxotere hair loss cases. If you or a loved one has been adversely affected by this drug, we may be able to help.