Docetaxel Injection

Conditions Treated

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.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Docetaxel injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• 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

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

• 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].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

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.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using docetaxel injection, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to docetaxel injection or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), terfenadine (Seldane) (not available in the U.S.), and troleandomycin (TAO) (not available in the U.S.). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with docetaxel injection, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. tell your doctor if you have fluid in your chest cavity. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using docetaxel injection.