What is Docetaxel: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Docetaxel

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 1 hour.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Your doctor will give you a steroid medicine before each treatment to prevent unwanted effects. Carefully follow the instructions about how to take the steroid. If you forget to take the steroid, tell your doctor before you receive the dose.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Injection routeYour doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will have to remain in place for at least 1 hour.

• Injection routeYou will receive this medicine while you are in a hospital or cancer treatment center. A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Missed dose: Injection routeThis medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose, call your doctor, home health caregiver, or treatment clinic for instructions.

• Your doctor will give you a steroid medicine before each treatment to prevent unwanted effects. Carefully follow the instructions about how to take the steroid. If you forget to take the steroid, tell your doctor before you receive the dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Docetaxel

Docetaxel contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to docetaxel or polysorbate 80, if you are pregnant, or if you have a low white blood cell count.

Docetaxel warnings

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Injection routeThis medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 6 months after the last dose. Male patients with female partners should use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose.

• Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for 1 week after the last dose.

• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders, edema (fluid retention), eye or vision problems, any type of infection, or if you had an allergic reaction to paclitaxel.

• This medicine can cause the following problems:Stomach or bowel problems (including enterocolitis, neutropenic colitis), which may be life-threateningFluid retention (body is keeping too much water)Increased risk for other cancers (including leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, lymphoma, kidney cancer)Serious skin reactionsNerve problems (including peripheral neuropathy)Eye or vision problemsTumor lysis syndrome (electrolyte and metabolic problem that can be life-threatening)

• This medicine contains alcohol, and may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Talk with your doctor before receiving this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who receive this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

• Injection routeMedicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

Docetaxel interactions

• Some medicines can affect how docetaxel works. Tell your doctor if you are using atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, or voriconazole.

• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, blood disorders, edema (fluid retention), or any type of infection.

• This medicine can cause the following problems:Serious allergic reactionsSerious skin reactionsAcute myeloid leukemia (a type of cancer)Changes in vision

• This medicine contains alcohol, and may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• Injection routeCancer medicine can cause nausea or vomiting, sometimes even after you receive medicine to prevent these effects. Ask your doctor or nurse about other ways to control any nausea or vomiting that might happen.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.