Taxotere

Taxotere is a prescription medicine that is used for treating various types of cancer, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. The medication works by interfering with certain cell structures, stopping the cancer cells from growing and multiplying. Taxotere, which is administered intravenously (through an IV), is generally given at a healthcare provider's office, an "infusion center," or a hospital. Possible side effects of Taxotere include hair loss, anemia, and leukopenia.

 

What Is Taxotere?

Taxotere® (docetaxel) is a prescription medication used to treat various types of cancer. This includes breast cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, to name a few. It is part of a group of chemotherapy medications called taxanes.
 
(Click Taxotere Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Taxotere?

Taxotere is currently made by sanofi-aventis.
 

How Does Taxotere Work?

Taxotere is part of a group of medications called taxanes. Taxanes stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying by interfering with certain structures in the cell.
 
While Taxotere can kill both healthy and cancerous cells, it has a greater effect on cells that are multiplying rapidly. Generally, cancer cells multiply more rapidly than healthy cells and are therefore more affected by Taxotere.
 

Taxotere Effects

One study looked at using Taxotere to treat advanced or metastatic breast cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) in people who had been unsuccessfully treated with other types of chemotherapy. People were given either Taxotere or a combination of mitomycin (Mitozytrex®) and vinblastine (Velban®). Compared to the mitomycin/vinblastine combination, Taxotere increased the average survival time from 8.7 months to 11.4 months. Taxotere also delayed the progression of the cancer.
 
Taxotere was also studied for non-operable, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that had not responded to previous chemotherapy. Compared to supportive care (which is care to improve the quality of life, but not to treat the cancer), Taxotere extended the survival time and delayed the progression of the cancer.
 
Other studies have also shown that Taxotere is also effective at treating prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and head and neck cancer.
 

When and How to Take Taxotere

Some general considerations for when and how to take Taxotere include the following:
 
  • Taxotere is administered intravenously (through an IV). Each Taxotere infusion is given over a one-hour period.
     
  • You will need to take an oral steroid, such as dexamethasone (Decadron®), before (and sometimes after) each dose of Taxotere in order to prevent fluid retention and allergic reactions.
     
  • Most people receive their Taxotere injection at their healthcare provider's office, a hospital, or at an "infusion center."
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Taxotere will not work as well if you stop taking it before your healthcare provider recommends.
     

Dosing Information for Taxotere

The dose of Taxotere 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.
 
(Click Taxotere Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Taxotere

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Taxotere. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of Taxotere include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Neutropenia (low levels of a certain type of white blood cell called neutrophils)
  • Leukopenia (low levels of another type of white blood cell called leukocytes)
  • Anemia (see Chemotherapy and Anemia)
  • Hair loss (see Taxotere and Hair Loss).
     
(Click Taxotere Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With Taxotere

Taxotere can potentially interact with a few other medicines (see Taxotere Drug Interactions).
 

Taxotere: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Taxotere if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Taxotere Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Taxotere?

People who take too much Taxotere may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Severe neutropenia (low levels of certain white blood cells)
  • Weakness
  • Rashes or other skin reactions
  • Unusual sensations, such as burning or tingling.
     
It is unlikely for a person to overdose on Taxotere, as it is usually administered by a healthcare provider.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Taxotere?

If you do not take your Taxotere as scheduled, talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible to set up your next infusion appointment.
 

Is There a Generic Version of Taxotere?

Currently, there is no generic Taxotere licensed for sale (see Generic Taxotere).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;