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Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug that is given as a treatment for some types of cancer. It is also known as Taxotere®. It is most commonly used to treat breast cancer|, prostate cancer| and non-small cell lung cancer|, but may be used for many other types of cancer.
Docetaxel is a yellow/brown liquid, which forms a clear solution when diluted.
Docetaxel is given as a drip (infusion) in one of the following ways:
The infusion takes about 60 minutes.
On the day before your chemotherapy, you will be given steroids to take. These help to reduce some of the side effects and are taken for either one or three days, depending on the type of cancer you are being treated for.
Chemotherapy| is usually given as a course of several sessions (or cycles) of treatment over a few months. The length of your treatment and the number of cycles you have will depend on the type of cancer for which you are being treated. Your nurse or doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.
Each person’s reaction to chemotherapy is different. Some people have very few side effects, while others may experience more. The side effects described in this information won't affect everyone who is given docetaxel, and may be different if you are having more than one chemotherapy drug.
We have outlined the most common side effects and some of the less common ones, so that you can be aware of them if they occur. However, we haven't included those that are very rare and therefore extremely unlikely to affect you. If you notice any effects that are not listed in this information, please discuss them with your doctor or nurse.
Lowered resistance to infection Docetaxel can reduce the production of white blood cells by the bone marrow, making you more prone to infection| . This effect can begin five days after treatment has been given and your resistance to infection usually reaches its lowest point seven days after chemotherapy. The number of your white blood cells will then increase steadily and will usually have returned to normal levels before your next course of chemotherapy is due.
Contact your doctor or the hospital straight away if:
You will have a blood test before having more chemotherapy to make sure that your cells have recovered. Occasionally, it may be necessary to delay your treatment if the number of blood cells (the blood count) is still low.
Bruising or bleeding Docetaxel can reduce the production of platelets, which help the blood to clot and stop bleeding. Let your doctor know if you have any unexplained bruising or bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood spots or rashes on the skin, or bleeding gums.
Anaemia (low number of red blood cells) While having treatment with docetaxel you may become anaemic. This may make you feel tired and breathless. Let your doctor or nurse know if these effects are a problem.
Feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting) This may begin a few hours after treatment is given. It is usually mild, and your doctor can prescribe very effective anti-sickness (anti-emetic) drugs to prevent or greatly reduce nausea and vomiting| . If the sickness isn't controlled, or if it continues, tell your doctor; they can prescribe other anti-sickness drugs which may be more effective. Some anti-sickness drugs may cause constipation. Let your doctor or nurse know if this is a problem.
Sore mouth and ulcers Your mouth may become sore or dry| , or you may notice small ulcers during this treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids, and cleaning your teeth regularly and gently with a soft toothbrush, can help to reduce the risk of this happening. Tell your nurse or doctor if you have any of these problems, as they can prescribe special mouthwashes and medicines to prevent or clear mouth infections
Taste changes You may notice that your food tastes different. Normal taste will usually come back after the treatment finishes.
Diarrhoea This can usually be easily controlled with medicine, but let your doctor know if it is severe or if it continues. It's important to drink plenty of fluids if you have diarrhoea.
Hair loss This usually starts 2–3 weeks after the first dose of docetaxel, although it may occur earlier. Your hair may fall out completely or it may just thin. You may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair. This is usually temporary and your hair will almost always grow again once treatment ends. Your nurse can give you advice about coping with hair loss| .
To help reduce hair loss, scalp cooling| may be suitable for some people.
Skin changes Docetaxel can cause a rash. Your doctors can prescribe medicine to help with this.
Soreness and redness of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (sometimes known as palmar plantar or hand-foot syndrome). This is temporary and will improve when treatment is finished. Your doctor can prescribe medicine to help with this.
Allergic reaction Some people can have an allergic reaction to Taxotere while it is being given. Signs of this can include skin rashes and itching, a high temperature, shivering, dizziness, a headache and breathlessness. You will be given steroids to take at home the day before treatment to reduce the chance of this happening. It is important to take the steroids as you have been directed. Let your nurse or doctor know immediately if you have any of these symptoms. If you have an allergic reaction it can be treated quickly.
Tiredness and feeling weak You may feel very tired| . It is important to allow yourself plenty of time to rest.
Fluid retention ou may notice that you gain weight and/or your ankles and legs swell. This decreases slowly once your treatment has finished. To help reduce the chance of fluid retention you will be given steroid tablets (usually dexamethasone) to take for three days, beginning on the day before treatment. The dexamethasone may also help to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction, and may help feelings of sickness.
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet This is due to the effect of docetaxel on the nerves and is known as peripheral neuropathy| . You may also notice that you have difficulty doing up buttons, or doing other fiddly tasks. Tell your doctor if you notice any numbness or tingling in your hands or feet. This usually improves slowly a few months after the treatment ends.
Changes in nails You may notice that your nails begin to crack. There can also be changes in the colour of the nails as well as pain in the nail bed (the base of the nail).
Pain in the joints or muscles It is important to let your doctor know about this, so that appropriate painkillers| can be prescribed.
Injection site If you notice any stinging or burning around the vein while the drug is being given, or any leakage of fluid from the cannula site, it is very important that you tell the doctor or nurse immediately. If the area around the injection site becomes red or swollen at any time, let your doctor or nurse know.
Risk of blood clots Cancer can increase your risk of developing a blood clot (thrombosis), and chemotherapy may increase this risk further. A blood clot may cause symptoms such as pain, redness and swelling in a leg, or breathlessness and chest pain. Blood clots can be very serious, so it is important to tell your doctor straightaway if you have any of these symptoms. However, most clots can usually be successfully treated with drugs to thin the blood. Your doctor or nurse can give you more information. If you notice any pain or burning around the vein while the drug is being given, or any leak of fluid from the cannula site, tell your doctor or nurse straightaway.
Other medicines Some other medicines, including those you can buy in a shop or chemist, can be harmful to take when you are having chemotherapy. Let your doctor know about any medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, complementary therapies and herbal drugs.
Fertility Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by this treatment. It is important to discuss fertility| with your doctor before starting treatment.
Contraception It's not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking this treatment, as the developing foetus may be harmed. It's important to use effective contraception while taking these drugs, and for at least a few months afterwards. Again, discuss this with your doctor or nurse.
This section is based on our Docetaxel factsheet which has been compiled using information from a number of reliable sources, including:
Sweetman et al. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. 36th edition. 2009. Pharmaceutical Press.
The Medicines.org.uk website – www.medicines.org.uk (accessed October 2009).
British National Formulary. 58th edition. 2009. British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Ed. Perry. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins The Chemotherapy Source Book. 4th edition. 2007.
For further references, please see general bibliography| .
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