Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or have ever been treated with cisplatin (Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin) for lung cancer. You may have a higher risk of developing certain serious side effects such as low levels of certain types of blood cells, severe mouth sores, severe skin reactions, and death.
Docetaxel injection may cause low levels of white blood cells in the blood. Your doctor will order laboratory tests regularly during your treatment to check whether the number of white blood cells in your body has decreased. Your doctor may also recommend that you check your temperature frequently during your treatment. Follow these instructions carefully. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of infection.
Docetaxel injection may cause severe allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to docetaxel injection or drugs made with polysorbate 80, an ingredient found in some medications. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if a medication you are allergic to contains polysorbate 80. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: rash, hives, itching, warm sensation, chest tightness, fainting, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Docetaxel injection may cause serious or life-threatening fluid retention (condition where the body keeps excess fluid). Fluid retention does not usually start immediately, and most commonly occurs around the fifth dosing cycle. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; weight gain; shortness of breath; chest pain;cough; hiccups; rapid breathing; fainting; lightheadedness; swelling of the stomach area; pale, grayish skin; or pounding heartbeat.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to docetaxel injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of using docetaxel injection.
Docetaxel injection is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat certain types of breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and head and neck cancers. Docetaxel injection is in a class of medications called taxanes. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Docetaxel injection comes as a liquid to be given intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic. It is usually given over 1 hour once every 3 weeks.
Your doctor will probably prescribe a steroid medication such as dexamethasone for you to take during each dosing cycle to help prevent certain side effects. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and take this medication exactly as prescribed. If you forget to take your medication or do not take it on schedule, be sure to tell your doctor before receiving your docetaxel injection.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Docetaxel injection is also sometimes used to treat ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of docetaxel injection.
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
changes in taste
extreme tiredness
muscle, joint, or bone pain
hair loss
nail changes
increased eye tearing
sores in the mouth and throat
redness, dryness, or swelling at the site where the medication was injected
blistering skin
numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands or feet
weakness in the hands and feet
unusual bleeding or bruising
nosebleeds
Docetaxel injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
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/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
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.
sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
sores in the mouth and throat
skin irritation
weakness
numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands or feet
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.
Last Reviewed - 09/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.