Taxotere – generically known as docetaxel – is a chemotherapy drug used to treat breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and head/neck cancer. Produced by the global biopharmaceutical company, Sanofi, Taxotere interferes with the ability of cancer cells to divide.
Unfortunately, Taxotere has also been associated with several serious side effects that can cause health issues for those being treated with it. One of the major issues is that Taxotere can lead to permanent, irreversible tearing. To make matters worse, Sanofi failed to properly inform victims of this risk.
The national Taxotere lawsuit attorneys of Hotze Runkle PLLC are dedicated to fighting for the rights of cancer patients and survivors who are suffering from permanent tearing as a result of being treated with Taxotere.
About Taxotere
Taxotere was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1996. The drug was approved to treat individuals with breast cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, and non-small-cell lung cancer.
Taxotere affects cancer cells by disrupting the function of microtubules. These structures play a role in the replication of cancer cells. Taxotere essentially stops cancerous cells from functioning and dividing. This has made Taxotere a highly effective chemotherapy agent.
Despite its effectiveness, the chemotherapy drug has also caused patients some unexpected damages. Those suffering from Sanofi negligence alleged that the company failed to properly warn them – and their physicians – of these life-changing side effects.
It should be noted that docetaxel is the generic name of Taxotere. There are various products/forms which contain docetaxel including the “brand-name” chemotherapy drugs Docefrez and Docetaxel Injection.
How Taxotere is Given
As a chemotherapy drug, Taxotere is provided to patients intravenously through an IV. There is currently no pill form for the drug and may require a specific preparation regimen which your doctor will determine.
Your physician will determine your dosage and schedule. These aspects of your treatment plan can be affected by a number of factors such as your general health, height, weight, and the type of cancer being treated.
Taxotere Side Effects
There are several side effects that need to be closely monitored. Some of the more frequently noted side effects are expected of chemotherapy drug treatment, including:
- Fluid retention
- Numbness in fingers and toes
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue and weakness
- Nail color changes
- Infection
- Hair loss
- Vomiting
- Muscle, bone, and/or joint pain
- Allergic reactions
- Vision problems
- Low blood cell counts
One of the major side effects that has been reported is epiphora – or an overflow of tears (tearing). This occurs as a result of patients’ tear ducts becoming blocked.
Chemotherapy drugs can cause tear ducts to become permanently clogged which then leads to the excess tears spilling out. A complete block can result in irreversible tearing that can have profound negative effects on an individual’s quality of life.
Excessive tearing can ultimately result in infections, eye damage, or vision impairment.
If you are undergoing chemotherapy or have undergone treatment and are dealing with permanent tearing, please seek medical attention.
For cancer patients, successful chemotherapy treatment is not always the end of their pain and suffering. Chemotherapy drugs such as Taxotere can cause numerous permanent or long-lasting side effects such as epiphora (excessive tearing of the eyes). Unfortunately, cancer patients are not always properly informed of the risks associated with chemotherapy.
At times, these side effects may require a medical response of their own – as is the case with the excessive tearing many breast cancer survivors face. One of the “solutions” to excessive tearing is a procedure known as dacryocystorhinostomy or DCR. Many cancer survivors dealing with excessive tearing often undergo a DCR procedure but then face additional health problems as a result.
Your Taxotere lawsuit attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC understand that victims are not only facing health problems caused by chemotherapy but a myriad of other issues as well. If you believe you have been the victim of chemo-related tearing and permanently shut tear ducts, then please consider the following information.
About Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)
In some cases, permanent side effects such as epiphora (excessive tearing) require further surgery after chemotherapy drug treatment has ended. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is a surgical procedure for treating excessive tearing, but this surgery can lead to further complications that require additional surgeries — which means that even if Taxotere is successful as a chemotherapy drug treatment, it can still cause more problems than anticipated.
Many cancer patients (especially breast cancer patients) treated with Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs suffer from epiphora or excessive tearing of the eyes. The tear drains in our eyes lead to a small tube (the canaliculus) which empties into the lacrimal sac at the corner of the eye and nose. This leads to a tunnel called the nasolacrimal duct that goes through the bone around the nose and empties tears into the nasal cavity. When these pathways get obstructed, it leads to mucous buildup around the eye, excessive tearing and blurred vision, as well as tenderness and swelling.
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) eliminates fluid and mucus retention in the eyes by removing the bone near the nasolacrimal sac and rearranging the sac to bypass duct obstruction. In other words, DCR increases tear drainage to relive epiphora, allowing tears to drain directly into the nasal cavity through a new low-resistance pathway.
Clearly, this surgical procedure is far removed from the original cancer that Taxotere was meant to treat — this is not what most chemotherapy patients ‘signed up for’ when battling cancer. If they were not properly informed of the possibility that DCR surgery would be necessary, they may have a case for Taxotere lawsuit attorneys, who can help determine whether the pharmaceutical company intentionally hid this information.
Risk Factors and Complications Associated with the DCR Procedure
As with any surgery, there are risk factors and complications for DCR that can replace or add to the epiphora (excessive tearing) it was meant to correct. The use of sedation, general or local anesthesia in surgery is always a risk factor that can cause nausea, seizures, heart or lung problems, amnesia (memory loss), and even death.
Depending on the type of DCR surgery (external or internal), patients can suffer from prominent facial scarring due to incisions around the eyes. Intraoperative complications can include blood hemorrhaging during the surgery and leaking of brain fluid as doctors must penetrate into bone. There is also a risk of direct injury to orbital contents as doctors use sharp instruments, as well as the possibility that the lacrimal sac is not completely opened, resulting in lacrimal sump syndrome and a failed procedure.
Postoperative complications can include infections, sinusitis (inflamed sinuses), the early loss of the silicone tube used to rearrange the tear pathway, and the need for further surgeries. The prognosis for DCR surgery is positive, but success rates are still only 90-95%, which means there are indeed failures and complications that victims may undergo.
Duct-related surgery is not always ideal for patients, and thus victims dealing with excessive tearing caused by chemotherapy medications like Taxotere can end up dealing with additional complications that the drug manufacturers did not warn them about.
Have You Suffered Unexpected Side Effects from Chemotherapy Drug Treatment?
Cancer patients have a lot of information to process and the law requires pharmaceutical companies to clearly communicate the complications and side effects of any chemotherapy drug treatment.
Taxotere, in particular, has proven to be a problematic drug for cancer patients, with permanent or long-term consequences that negatively impact health, happiness and quality of life.
Do not hesitate to contact Taxotere lawsuit attorneys of Hotze Runkle PLLC if you or a loved one is suffering from excessive tearing or other eye-related complications as a result of chemotherapy.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, one thing we’ve learned is that when serious illnesses, like cancer, affect us, they have a tendency to cause other lasting health issues. Beyond the damage they do our peace of mind and emotions, cancer treatment can change your quality of life for the worse.
Chemotherapy treatment is one such regimen that can have long-lasting negative effects. The product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC are leading the way when it comes to fighting for the rights of breast cancer patients and survivors who have been hurt by pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers.
The use of certain chemotherapy drugs has been shown to cause excessive tearing and permanent closure of a patient’s tear ducts. These issues, in turn, cause other eye-related complications that can require surgery as well as lead to significant amounts of pain.
Why Do These Side Effects Get Ignored?
There are a number of reasons why an individual being treated with Taxotere or another chemotherapy drug might not realize the potential for damage to their vision. The first is probably the most obvious: their attention is likely focused on the status of their health. It is understandable that they might not want to divert energy away from that.
Another can be that it is difficult for a cancer patient to decide to change any part of their treatment, particularly if they are seeing positive results.
At times, side effects are ignored simply because their seriousness does not outweigh the significance of the actual disease. In a fight with cancer, the stakes are often life and death, and the internal discussion between life and their quality of life may not be given extensive consideration.
The Changes to Your Eyes and Vision Can Be Drastic
These are all legitimate reasons why the state of our vision can be put on the back burner. But ignoring these risks does not minimize the dangers that Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs pose to the health of your eyes.
One case of note is that of Carolyn Choate, who survived her battle with breast cancer fifteen years ago but still continues to struggle with chronic eye problems today. Her health issues began shortly after she started her chemotherapy treatment, which included four rounds of Taxotere over a period of eight weeks. The treatments left her eyes constantly tearing, every day and at all hours.
Her physicians ran tests on her tear ducts when the issue began to see if the tearing was a result of blocked tear ducts. The passage was not blocked and they could not offer her any explanation in light of their findings. Fortunately, Carolyn found a bit of relief from the problem in recent years, estimating that the severity of her watery eyes has diminished by about 35% in the last decade.
Even accounting for this improvement, that still leaves five years of non-stop tearing that has still not been fully alleviated even to this day, despite visiting and consulting with numerous specialists on the matter.
Carolyn’s career as a TV reporter and daily life have both been significantly affected by this. Additionally, though not something that she perceives to have been a negative side effect, the color of her eyes changed after her chemotherapy.
The national product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC know that all anyone wants after chemotherapy treatment is to return to their previous way of life. If you or a loved one is fighting against eye-related problems caused by a chemotherapy drug, contact us today at (877) 919-0830 for a consultation.
However you approach it, Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs have been proven to cause long-lasting damage and changes to people’s eyes and vision. For them, the battle for their health does not end once chemotherapy is over.
If you or someone you know has experienced problems with their vision after being treated with Taxotere or other chemotherapy drugs, call us today. Your vision is a gift and we will fight to ensure that Taxotere does not steal it away.
Cancer offers no mercy for those it affects, and sadly, the treatment process often causes as much damage as it undoes. Chemotherapy drug cocktails can leave patients in pain, constantly tired, nauseated and generally feeling unwell.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we’ve seen firsthand the negative effects that chemotherapy drugs like Taxotere can have on people. Those searching for a path to a cancer-free life are often left with new, enduring health problems after chemotherapy treatment.
With the majority of the attention surrounding Taxotere lawsuits focused on permanent hair loss, lost in the media spotlight is the effect that it can have on a patient’s vision. We urge you to seek both medical and legal counsel for any ongoing issues with your eyes and vision if you were treated with the chemotherapy drug Taxotere.
A Quick Refresher
We have covered some of the potential sides effects that can affect a patient’s eyes after the use of Taxotere but it is definitely worth revisiting. Some of the problems Taxotere has been shown to cause include:
- Excessive tearing
- Dry, swollen eyelids
- Blurry vision
- Blocked tear ducts
- Constant itchiness
Even symptoms like an increase in “floaters” during and after treatment have been documented by patients and their medical teams. It is also possible that some of the difficulties that impact vision and the eyes could be attributed to nerve damage.
These are some of the more extreme and worrisome of adverse effects caused by using Taxotere.
Basic Questions and Answers Regarding Taxotere
Are these issues really the result of Taxotere and other related chemotherapy drugs?
Simply put, yes. There is ample evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that Taxotere can and likely will affect your vision to some degree.
Is it necessary to tell my oncologist about minor issues with my eyes while taking/right after taking the drug?
Any differences you notice in your vision or how your eyes feel may not be enough to seriously alter your everyday quality of life. However, how often you experience excessive tearing and other side effects can change quickly, and the more information you and your medical team have about new developments in your health, the quicker they can get a plan in place to manage these issues. As with all things related to chemotherapy, you can’t assume that conditions will remain consistent or that new problems won’t arise.
How soon can I rule out more serious eye issues/disorders?
Another one of the troubles about Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs is that when they affect your vision, you won’t have access to any definitive answers for some time.
In order to properly diagnose a new eye disorder, you have to wait at least 3-6 months to meet with an ophthalmologist, so that Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs will have completely passed through your system.
Do I have to wait that long to see an eye doctor?
If your excessive tearing and other symptoms last for extended periods of time, especially multiple days in a row, you SHOULD NOT ignore them waiting for chemotherapy drugs to clear your body. When tearing, dryness, or blurred vision significantly impact your ability to do everyday tasks, then you should see your ophthalmologist. Inform them of the issues you are dealing with are a result of your chemotherapy treatment.
How seriously should I consider corrective surgery?
Surgery is a possibility when the underlying cause for excessive tearing is determined to be a blocked tear duct. However, this is usually a last resort when other options like intubation have failed to provide relief of the blockage. The most serious complication that can arise in most people after surgery is infection. As with any proposed treatment, it is important to consider all options and your current and prospective health.
There is no need for the hard times cancer survivors could potentially face after being healed. Taxotere has a documented history of leaving people with additional health problems that have gone overlooked.
The national product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC know that all anyone wants after chemotherapy treatment is to return to their lives with a renewed sense of well-being. If you or a loved one is fighting against eye-related problems caused by this chemotherapy drug, contact us today at (877) 919-0830 for a consultation.
We will hold the drug manufacturers responsible for the harm they have caused and get you the compensation you need to live the healthy life you deserve.
Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug specifically designed to treat a variety of cancers including prostate, lung, stomach, neck, head, and breast cancer. Unfortunately, many patients are unaware of the medication’s long list of serious side effects that can include excessive tearing, tear duct blockage, and other eye-related issues.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken note of several of these adverse effects that can cause long-term issues for cancer survivors. In fact, Taxotere manufacturer, Safoni, currently faces nearly 8,000 lawsuits over the harmful side effects faced by users.
The national product liability attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC know the dangers of Taxotere and want to expose the harsh realities of this commonly used drug.
Compensation for Serious Symptoms
Some of the most common side effects experienced by individuals treated with Taxotere include low white blood cell counts, swelling and weight gain, nausea, mouth sores, hair loss, fatigue, and even loss of nails. Most of these side effects do clear up after chemotherapy treatment is done.
However, your attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC have found there to be several lasting side effects such as excessive tearing of the eyes, blocked tear ducts, and other eye-related problems.
If you or a loved one have received chemotherapy treatment with the drug Taxotere and have noticed side effects of the drug that have extended beyond the period of treatment, there may be compensation available.
The Prevalent Use of Taxotere
Chemotherapy drugs like Taxotere work by killing fast-growing cancer cells in the body – both normal and cancerous. This drug attacks the RNA and DNA structures of the cells that allow them to reproduce effectively.
75 percent of individuals with breast cancer use the drug Taxotere in chemotherapy. Although there are other chemotherapy drugs on the market, the vast majority of individuals with breast cancer are treated with Taxotere because of its effectiveness and ability to be administered once every three weeks. Other forms of chemotherapy treatment can be administered only on a weekly basis.
FDA Releases Taxotere Truth
In 2015, the Sanofi Company and the FDA released a full description of warnings and adverse reactions for patients who used specific doses of the drug. Undoubtedly, many patients would have thought twice about choosing this particular chemotherapy if this information had been made readily available to them.
The warning reveals that Taxotere caused a number of serious conditions including:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia – cancer of blood cells.
- Cystoid Macular Edema – loss of vision.
- Toxic Deaths
Prior to 2015, much of this information was unavailable to the public.
The drug has been administered for nearly 20 years and its effects have taken a toll on users and will continue to so with patients still receiving treatment with it.
The Sanfoni company should face the consequences of inflicting harm on you or your loved ones. Contact the product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC for experienced help in seeking compensation from this negligent drug company.
Contact our law offices today at (512) 476-7771 or (877) 919-0830 for a consultation. At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we aim to help injury victims seek the ultimate justice.
Watery eyes, known medically as epiphora, is a symptom experienced by cancer patients and survivors alike. Excessive tearing and other eye-related conditions have been shown to be caused by chemotherapy medications like Taxotere.
If you were, or are, undergoing chemotherapy and have suffered from excessive tearing, contact the product liability attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC today at (512) 476-7771 or (877) 919-0830 to schedule your consultation.
Depending on your specific case, there may be a number of reasons why you could be experiencing excessively watery eyes. Realize that you are not alone. Many breast cancer patients and survivors have undergone conditions just like your. That is why at Hotze Runkle PLLC we have decided to put together a series of tips meant to help you diminish the symptoms and hopefully improve your quality of life while we fight for you.
Dry Eye Syndrome & Excessive Tearing
Some chemotherapy drugs may cause what is known as dry eye syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This condition means either your eyes are not producing enough tears to lubricate, making them red and dry, or it is not producing a key lubricating chemical which can cause excessive tearing.
You can take the following actions to decrease excessive tearing in your eyes:
- Wear sunglasses. When outside, it is recommended to wear sunglasses to avoid losing moisture in your eyes due to the wind or sun rays. During chemotherapy treatment, your eyes may also be more sensitive to light and sunglasses can help to protect them.
- Wash your eyelids with baby shampoo. Use baby shampoo to gently wash away any crust formed by the excessive tearing.
- Clean out work/home air filters. Excessive tearing can be further irritated by your allergies or by dust and pollen in the air. Do your best to eliminate them at home or work by constantly changing air filters and purchasing an air cleaner if necessary.
Blocked Tear Ducts
Tear duct blockage is another possible side effect of chemotherapy drugs. Eyes produce tears every time we blink to keep themselves lubricated. Excess tears and mucus need to be drained through a tiny opening in the corner of our eye known as a punctum, which is the entrance to the nasolacrimal duct, or tear duct.
When tear ducts become blocked, the excess tears cannot be drained from the eye, which can, in turn, cause a number of eye-related health issues such as infections, swelling, and severe eye pain.
The following are a few recommendations you can follow to decrease the discomfort associated with blocked tear ducts:
- Use warm compresses. Warm compresses can help protect you against infections by helping to temporarily clear the tear duct. Just make sure they are “warm”, as anything too hot can potentially hurt your eyes.
- Avoid using contacts. Whether you are suffering from excessive tearing or blocked tear ducts, it is important to avoid using contacts as they can cause serious eye infections.
- Talk to your oncologist. Make sure to communicate any discomforts to your oncologist, who should be able to recommend an ophthalmologist to help you.
Some ocular problems can generate other eye-related complications that have lasting effects. Other symptoms to look out for are sensitivity to light or blurry vision. These could mean there is something else wrong with your eyes. Communicating these symptoms to your medical provider can prevent any lasting damage to your eyes.
Do not hesitate to contact the product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC if you or a loved one is suffering eye-related complications due to chemotherapy drugs like Taxotere.
Contact us today at (512) 476-7771 or (877) 919-0830 to schedule a consultation. At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we don’t demand your trust, we earn it.
The product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC are leading the way when it comes to fighting for the rights of cancer patients and survivors who have been hurt by chemotherapy drug manufacturers. Several chemotherapy drugs used during treatment – including Taxotere – have been shown to cause permanent closure of a patient’s tear ducts as well as excessive tearing. These issues, in turn, lead to other eye-related complications that can cause substantial amounts of damage and pain.
But you don’t have to accept the illegal behavior of these pharmaceutical companies. Find comfort in knowing that there is a team of dedicated lawyers ready to protect your rights. You don’t have to go up against these pharmaceutical giants alone; the attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC have the experience, skill, and determination to help you piece your life back together.
If you believe you have been the victim of chemo-related tearing and permanently shut tear ducts, then please consider the following information.
Chemotherapy Drugs and Your Eyes
There are a number of drugs used to treat cancer which can affect a patient’s eyes and eyesight. While the effects are generally temporary, in some cases these effects can lead to long-term health issues.
These effects are most likely to occur with chemotherapy drugs and can include:
- Blurred or dulled vision
- Clouding of the lens of the eye
- Loss of areas of vision
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye infections
- Dry eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Excessive tearing
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we have been closely monitoring chemotherapy drugs linked to excessive tearing and have noted a few including:
- Taxotere (docetaxel)
- Xeloda (capecitabine)
- Cytarabine
- Adriamycin (doxorubicin)
- Fluorouracil
Excessive tearing – known medically as epiphora – can occur when there is a blockage in the drainage system of the eye due to the swelling of nearby tissues.
About Epiphora (Excessive Tearing)
Epiphora can affect patients in two primary ways: either by an overproduction of tears and mucus or by preventing the proper draining of tears through the lacrimal apparatus, which is the system of ducts and sacs that create the tears and then moves them out through the nasal cavity.
The obstruction of these ducts can occur as the result of an infection, inflammatory disorder, physical trauma, or surgery. In some cases, bacteria can also cause infection and blockage of these ducts.
When the tear ducts are blocked, tears begin to build up in the tear sac and can increase the risk of infection that can lead to inflammation next to the eye. Depending on the case, blocked tear ducts can also cause scarring.
Treatment for excessive tearing depends on the severity of the problem as well as the cause. One of the most commonly recommended treatments is a surgical procedure known as dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).
About Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) & Potential Complications
DCR is a procedure used to treat blockage in the tear ducts. The surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia depending on the patient’s or surgeon’s choice. The goal of the operation is to create a small incision in the blocked tear duct in order to allow tears to drain directly into the nasal cavity. To keep the incision open, the surgeon may use stents or tubes known as Lester Jones tubes.
As with any procedure, there are a number of complications and risks that patients should be aware of including:
- Infection
- Swelling and bruising
- Excessive bleeding
- Scarring or fused tissue within the nose
- Bleeding within the orbital cavity
- Dry eye
- Persistent pain at the surgical site
- Facial scarring
- Injury to an eye muscle which can result in vision problems or loss
- If stents or Jones tubes are used, prolapse of the stent can occur
In cases where stents are used, soft tissue infections can occur as well as migration of the Jones tube which can require additional surgeries. Complications can be affected by the patient’s health, age, the type of DCR being performed, and the reason for it.
Duct-related surgery is not always ideal for patients, and thus victims dealing with excessive tearing caused by chemotherapy medications like Taxotere can end up dealing with additional complications that the drug manufacturers did not warn them about.
Do not hesitate to contact the product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC if you or a loved one is suffering from eye-related complications as result of chemotherapy drugs such as Taxotere.
Taxotere is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of breast cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head/neck cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. The drug is traditionally given in liquid form through an IV. There are several factors that affect dosage including weight and height, general health, other diseases and health issues, as well as the type of cancer that is being treated.
Like any other chemotherapy drug, there are a number of serious side effects that can prove to be truly disastrous to a patient’s health and wellbeing. Our product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC want to inform you about these potential issues and how they can affect your life.
Chemotherapy Drug Side Effects
Most chemotherapy drug side effects are limited to the duration of the chemotherapy process and are eventually filtered through the body. They are also predictable in terms of how long they last.
Some of the most common side effects, experienced by more than 30% of chemotherapy drug users, include:
| Nausea | Diarrhea | Vomiting | Temporary hair loss |
| Tiredness | Increased susceptibility to infections | Changes to nail color/nail falling off | Missed menstrual cycles |
| Numb fingers and toes | Fluid retention | Constipation | Anemia or low white blood cell count |
Some side effects will end abruptly following the conclusion of treatment while others are prolonged. The duration a patient may suffer from these after-effects can be affected by their overall health.
Keep in mind that these side effects do not affect everyone and may vary from patient to patient.
While taking Taxotere, individuals may experience allergic reactions such as hives, tightness in their throat, an inability to breath, face, lip, tongue, or throat swelling. If you suffer from any of these side effects you should consult your doctor immediately.
You may also experience inflammation, redness, and dryness of the skin around the entry site. These reactions are more likely to occur during the actual treatment.
Major Side Effects
Some of the more serious side effects of chemotherapy drugs are:
- Swelling of the hands/feet/legs
- Unexplained weight gain
- Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
- Muscle or joint pain
- Persistent weakness or fatigue
- Eye pain
- Irregular heartbeat
- Severe stomach pain
- Black or bloody stools
- Severe headaches
- Vision changes
- Chest pain
Excessive Tearing
Another major side effect of chemotherapy drugs is epiphora – also known as excessive tearing.
Excessive tearing is caused by the obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct that connects the eye socket to the nasal cavity. The source of this excessive tearing stems from the tear duct becoming infected and inflamed, leading to tears welling up in the eye and falling excessively.
Excessive tearing can lead to difficulty reading, driving, issues with eyesight, and can negatively affect a patient’s quality of life.
Treatment of this side effect depends on how severe the problem is. In mild cases, the doctor may just monitor the patient’s health to ensure that no major damage is caused. In severe cases, surgery may be encouraged.
The surgical procedure to create a new channel from the tear sac to the inside of the nose is known as dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). This surgery is intended to allow the tears to bypass the blocked duct and work correctly.
However, there are a number of risks associated with the DCR procedure including:
- Excessive bleeding
- Prominent facial scars
- Infection
- Displaced stent that can lead to other eye-related issues
- Abnormally fused tissue in the nose
- Non-effective procedure
- Blindness may occur with damage to the infraorbital vessels or optic nerve
These risks differ according to things such as age, health conditions, and the reasons for the procedure.
Before Using Taxotere
Your doctor should be made aware of any other prescriptions or over the counter medications that you are taking including vitamins and dietary supplements. During chemotherapy, there will be physical changes and imbalances throughout your body.
All physical symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately. Even though some side effects are temporary they could potentially lead to much more serious problems.
If you were, or are, undergoing chemotherapy and have suffered from excessive tearing, contact the product liability attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC today at (512) 476-7771 or (877) 919-0830 to schedule your consultation.
Your product liability lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC have been following the news regarding chemotherapy drugs that cause excessive tearing. Several drugs used during the course of chemotherapy treatment have been shown to cause permanent closure of a patient’s tear ducts. This, in turn, has lead to patient’s developing a number of eye-related complications such as:
- Severe cases of excessive tearing (epiphora)
- Pain and swelling inside the corner of the eye
- Blurred vision
- Mucus or pus build up and discharge
One of these drugs, known as Taxotere, which is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company, Sanofi, is already facing a mounting number of lawsuits from breast cancer patients and survivors who are dealing with other severe side effects. Breast cancer patients have launched a legal attack on the negligent company claiming they failed to effectively notify users of how severe these side effects could be.
While the national litigation team at Hotze Runkle PLLC is focusing primarily on helping victims of excessive tearing and permanent tear duct closure, we believe that is important to highlight that this is not the first time the manufacturer of Taxotere has wrongly hurt users.
Why People are Filing Taxotere Lawsuits
There are currently over 8,000 pending lawsuits against Taxotere for false marketing and downplaying the severity of its side effects.
One of the most drastic side effects cancer patients have faced has been permanent hair loss. While hair loss is a commonly noted side effect of chemotherapy, in the case of breast cancer patients taking Taxotere, there was an increased risk of chemotherapy-induced alopecia – or permanent hair loss. For most patients, hair usually begins to grow back after 3 to 6 months but for some Taxotere users, this permanent loss of hair has lead to truly traumatic experiences.
Having to deal with the physical and psychological pain and suffering of chemotherapy treatment is challenging enough. The breast cancer survivors who have to deal with alopecia have suffered intense damage to their quality of life. Studies have shown that cancer survivors dealing with alopecia often face higher rates of anxiety, poor body image, and lowered self-esteem.
Sadly, these psychological effects make it difficult for survivors to transition back into their everyday lives – and even work.
Warnings about the risk of alopecia were not specified until 2015, nearly 20 years after the chemotherapy drug had been in the market. Unbelievably, the manufacturer knew as early as 1998, when they funded a study that confirmed a potential for permanent hair loss.
Still, the pharmaceutical company failed to warn patients about the findings. In fact, the company marketed the drugs as a safer, more effective alternative to other chemotherapy drugs in the United States. Even with studies and warnings coming in from foreign countries, Sanofi continued to downplay the effects and essentially ignore studies that showed otherwise.
This situation clearly highlights the extent to which pharmaceutical manufacturers such as Sanofi are willing to go to make a profit off the pain of others.
Taxotere and Other Chemotherapy Drugs Under Scrutiny Again
Taxotere already has a history of leaving breast cancer patients struggling with permanent cases of hair loss, and yet the drug continues to be heavily recommended and used. Now, Taxotere and other chemotherapy drugs are being associated with excessive tearing and permanent tear duct closure.
But you don’t have to quietly accept your situation.
The product liability attorneys of Hotze Runkle PLLC are here to make sure that the negligence of Sanofi does not go unpunished. With years of experience in product liability representation, trust in our ability to fight for your civil justice.