Docetaxel User Reviews & Ratings

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2021

Docetaxel for Solid Tumors "I took Taxotere from August to December 2018, got a dose every 3 weeks, a total of 6 doses. I'd get a dose on Tuesday, felt OK until Friday, Friday through Monday I was bedridden, then would slowly start to recuperate and at the end of the 2nd week would feel almost normal. The effects were cumulative and by the 5th dose, I felt crappy the whole time. I lost all my body hair. Main side effects were fatigue, constipation, loss of strength. Not much nausea. It did cause a tension in me that dominated my life - I was difficult, bitchy, afraid, confrontational. I ended up taking a mood enhancer (Zoloft), which has allowed me to sleep and relax. At the end, I looked as though I had one foot in the grave. It was March 2019 before I felt like a member of the human race again. Taxotere made a huge difference in my condition. The cancer was substantially shrunk. It was difficult, and I'm glad it's over, but it worked - I just hope I don't have to do it again."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2011

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer "The side effects (well for me) were unbearable. I had tingling in my feet and fingertips. Sharp pain from my fingertips to my wrist. I had sharp pain from my toes to my heel. It caused thrush in my mouth. Caused trouble swallowing and chewing."

• Reb...
• November 21, 2017

Docetaxel for Solid Tumors "Doing 6 rounds three weeks apart. Also getting Perjeta and Herceptin. Have hair loss, heartburn, facial rash, weight gain, bowel issues occasionally. Overall, the first week after treatment is tough. Terrible taste in my mouth from this drug, and that is difficult to tolerate as most foods taste awful. Only one more treatment to go, I can't wait to be done with this. I do get tingling in my fingertips, like they are asleep. Doesn't last too long."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2020

For Breast Cancer "I had BC recurrence of the original tumor, grade 3 Triple Neg, 2016 (previous lumpectomy and RT 2014). This time, mastectomy and chemo. Treatment was 4 rounds of FEC followed by 4 rounds of Docetaxel, all 21 days apart. I reacted as expected, I guess, always so careful to prevent infection, but unfortunately had neutropenia, sepsis, pneumonia, and suffered hair and nail loss, bone pain, and severe fluid retention leading to breathlessness and fatigue. Two years on, after completing the entire course, I'm still fatigued and breathless with strenuous exercise, but have returned to work and enjoy being alive."

• Big...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2023

Docetaxel for Solid Tumors "If allowed, I'm the caregiver for my husband with stage 4 lung cancer. Initially, they did not add infusions to increase his white count, and he got very sick. He ended up in the hospital. They made some adjustments - he received vitamin shots, oxycodone for pain, and a special mouthwash as it caused horrible mouth sores. He lost his hair and eyelashes. He still coughs after 8 months, but he had his last treatment as that is all that is allowed. We are waiting for a PET scan to see where we go from here. It's been very hard on him, and he still has great fatigue. He had an infusion every 3 weeks. The first week was awful - he slept a lot, felt lousy, and had no appetite. By the third week, he was feeling better and then it was time to get another treatment. It's been a vicious cycle. The last report showed that his tumor shrunk, but it's also now in his bones."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2022

Docetaxel for Solid Tumors "I am currently on the 5th of 6 carbo/taxotere chemo. It has progressively gotten worse. I have chemical burns on my hands, a constant sinus infection with bloody scars since the first infusion, leg pain, foot pain, hip pain, extreme exhaustion, watery eyes, vision issues, chemical burns on my eyelids and under my eyes, mouth sores, GI issues, twitching muscles all the time, pain in my surgery area, extreme fatigue, nail ridges, split and bleeding fingers, headache, and more. I've been in the hospital 3 times... once after the first 3 infusions with dehydration, pain, etc. I am on morphine, oxycodone, and gabapentin. Nothing works for the pain. It wasn't until the 5th infusion I got nausea. Hair is 80% gone at this point... getting ready to shed on day 10 after the 5th infusion, I'm sure. I hope this is all worth it for 1c ovarian cancer. If it eliminates my cancer cells, I may change my rating."

• Cce...
• September 13, 2016

Docetaxel for Solid Tumors "I had a hysterectomy in December of 2015 and was diagnosed at a stage 1a with leiomyosarcoma (rare form of uterine cancer). I was also given Gemzar at the same time as Taxotere. Four cycles altogether (every 3 weeks). My side effects were hair loss (yes - eyelashes and brows), some nausea, skin peeling of hands and feet, severe edema and shortness of breath, fevers, bone pain, and muscle aches. It has now been 4 months since that drug was given to me. I had to follow those two drugs with 4 cycles of Adriamycin (which was like taking a baby aspirin compared to Taxotere). I completed my chemo on July 28th, I have had 1 CAT scan come back clear, so I get checked every 3 months for 2 years. I was scared at first, but now that I made it through, I am thankful I chose treatment."

• MAM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2016

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer "I had some horrible side effects. All my hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows fell out. I have super thin hair now, no eyelashes, and hardly any eyebrows. I had 4 treatments with this drug. At that time, I experienced severe pain that I had to go to the ER for, all of my fingernails and toenails fell out. I also had what seemed to be chemical burns on my hands and feet. My skin peeled off to reveal red, sore skin. I also had an infection at my cuticle site on all of my fingers. Though I have been in remission for 4 years, the side effects were awful. This was my second round of chemo. I had a first treatment with a different drug, 3 surgeries, and then this chemo followed with radiation."

• LMu...
• February 11, 2015

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer "Had 4 treatments 3 weeks apart. Symptoms still hanging on a month after completion are wrinkled fingertips and a slight feeling like I touched a hot cookie sheet. Very sensitive to spicy foods, as tongue felt burnt too."

• DOa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 12, 2021

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "This is a dangerous drug and caused me so many permanent side effects that have made my life change forever. Had I understood this prior, never would I have agreed to have this medicine pumped into my veins!"

• Liz...
• December 24, 2016

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer "My first IV chemo after taking the AIs. I took 3 cycles with a 10-point drop in tumor markers once only, and then they started to rise again. A CT scan showed worsening of cancer. Bones were stable but not effective in the peritoneum. I have lobular cancer, which was in remission for 15 years before it returned. This treatment did not work for me. The side effects were very predictable and easy to deal with for the short time I took it, but I'm noticing painful nails now."

• kal...
• April 22, 2015

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer "Hands and feet swelled. Feet swelled from wearing a size 7 shoe, needed to wear a size 8.5 until the swelling dissipated. I only had one session of Taxotere before my oncologist stopped this treatment. I believe that there were about 5 sessions scheduled before I experienced these side effects. I received it in spring of 2005!"

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2022

For Breast Cancer "I had a severe anaphylactic reaction within minutes of my treatment starting. I was told it was most likely due to the solvents in it, which are necessary to enable the body to absorb it. Solvents! That's like paint stripper! No wonder so many people suffer bad side effects on it. I'm now on Nab Paclitaxel, which uses human albumin instead of solvents."

• 261...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 11, 2023

For Solid Tumors "I just completed a 9th chemo treatment. I am so exhausted! I lost my hair immediately, got mouth sores, rash, nail discoloration, no feeling in my fingertips, weakness, dry eyes, shortness of breath, and I am irritated. I am scheduled for round 10, but I am done!!! Going to look at other options."

• mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2024

For Breast Cancer "Had my first cycle of docetaxel. Didn't experience side effects until 4 or 5 days later, maybe when the steroids were stopped. Terrible muscle and joint pain everywhere. Got a lot of indigestion and my mouth covered in a white coating. Cannot taste much and hardly any appetite. My hair started coming out after 14 days, although I did try the cooling cap. The hair has been coming out each day, which, when I saw it coming out in handfuls, was still upsetting. Also a lot of tiredness and fatigue. Having 4 cycles of this drug. Horrid stuff. Will see how I manage after my 2nd cycle tomorrow."

• JKK...
• June 5, 2013

Docetaxel for Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was given this medication with Perjeta and Herceptin for 4 cycles. The 1st cycle proved to have the most side effects: nausea, constipation, heartburn, redness, and tiredness."