MedlinePlus Drug Information: Docetaxel

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Other drug names:	A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

Docetaxel

(doe se tax' el)

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? What special precautions should I follow? What side effects can this medication cause?	In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names

IMPORTANT WARNING: Return to top

Docetaxel can cause a decrease in the number of blood cells in your bone marrow. Docetaxel also can cause liver damage. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to docetaxel.

Allergic reactions may occur during docetaxel administration; you will receive medication before each treatment to help prevent these reactions. With these preventive medications, these allergic reactions are uncommon. Your health care provider will watch you carefully during the initial part of the infusion to treat these effects if they occur. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: shortness of breath, facial flushing, fever, chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, or skin rash.

Why is this medication prescribed? Return to top

Your doctor has ordered the drug docetaxel to help treat your illness.

This medication is used to treat:

metastatic breast cancer

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Docetaxel is in a class of drugs known as taxanes; it slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. The length of treatment depends on the types of drugs you are taking, how well your body responds to them, and the type of cancer you have.

How should this medicine be used? Return to top

The drug is given by injection into your vein.

What special precautions should I follow? Return to top

Before taking docetaxel,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to docetaxel or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), erythromycin, ketoconazole (Nizoral), troleandomycin (TAO), and vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease.
you should know that docetaxel may interfere with the normal menstrual cycle (period) in women and may stop sperm production in men. However, you should not assume that you cannot get pregnant or that you cannot get someone else pregnant. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors before they begin taking this drug. You should not plan to have children while receiving chemotherapy or for a while after treatments. (Talk to your doctor for further details.) Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy. Docetaxel may harm the fetus.
do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.

What side effects can this medication cause? Return to top

Side effects from docetaxel are common and include:

thinned or brittle hair
diarrhea
loss of appetite
nausea
vomiting

Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or lasts for several hours:

mouth blistering
fatigue

If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

unusual bruising or bleeding
severe vomiting
chills
cough
sore throat
muscle aches, bone pain, and other flu-like symptoms
difficulty swallowing
change in normal bowel habits for more than 2 days
swelling of the feet, increases in waistline size, weight gain, or overall puffiness

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

In case of emergency/overdose Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know? Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names Return to top

Taxotere®

Last Revised - 04/01/2003
Last Reviewed - 08/01/2007

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer