Taxotere Dosage

The recommended Taxotere dosage your healthcare provider prescribes will be based on several factors, such as the type of cancer being treated. You will usually need to take an oral steroid for three days each time you receive Taxotere (starting the day before your Taxotere dose). Taxotere is administered intravenously (by IV) and most people receive the medication at their healthcare provider's office, the hospital, or an infusion center.

 

Taxotere Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of Taxotere® (docetaxel) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The type of cancer being treated
  • Your height and weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Taxotere dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
Taxotere Dosage for Cancer
Your healthcare provider will base your Taxotere dose on your body surface area (which is calculated using your height and weight). Your Taxotere dose will vary depending on the type of cancer, the other chemotherapy medications you are taking, and whether you develop bothersome or dangerous Taxotere side effects.
 
Usually, you will need to take an oral steroid, such as dexamethasone (Deltasone®), for three days (starting the day before your Taxotere dose) each time you receive Taxotere. The usual dose is dexamethasone 8 mg twice daily for three days. This helps to prevent allergic reactions and decreases the severity of fluid retention. For people taking Taxotere and prednisone for prostate cancer, the steroid dose is a little different -- dexamethasone 8 mg at 12 hours, 3 hours, and 1 hour before your Taxotere dose.
 
(Taxotere Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;