Docetaxel (Systemic)

Brand Names : Taxotere

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for others by doing certain tests.

Also, because of the way these medicines act on the body, there is a chance that they might cause other unwanted effects that may not occur until months or years after the medicine is used. These delayed effects may include certain types of cancer. Discuss these possible effects with your doctor.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; cough or hoarseness (accompanied by fever or chills); difficult or painful urination (accompanied by fever or chills); fever or chills; lower back or side pain (accompanied by fever or chills); noisy, rattling breathing; pinpoint red spots on skin; troubled breathing while at rest; unusual bleeding or bruising

Rare

Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath

Docetaxel sometimes causes allergic reactions, especially during the first few treatments. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you notice back pain or itching during an injection . Your doctor or nurse will be watching out for other signs of an allergic reaction while you are receiving this medicine, and will be ready to treat any serious effects right away.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Swelling of abdomen, face, fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain

Less common

Red, scaly, swollen, or peeling areas of skin (severe)

Rare

Decrease in blood pressure, sometimes with dizziness or fainting; increase in blood pressure, sometimes with dizziness or headaches

This medicine may also cause the following side effects that your doctor will watch out for:

More common

Anemia; low white blood cell count

Less common

High or low blood pressure; low platelet count in blood

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Burning, numbness, tingling, or pain in arms, hands, legs, or feet; diarrhea; nausea; skin rash or redness (mild); sores or ulcers on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth; weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet

Less common

Change in color of fingernails or toenails; dry, red, hot, or irritated skin at place of injection; headache; loosening or loss of fingernails or toenails, sometimes painful; pain in joints or muscles; pain, swelling, or lump under the skin at place of injection; vomiting

This medicine usually causes a temporary loss of hair. After treatment with docetaxel has ended, normal hair growth should return.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.