Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 22, 2022.
Treatment-related mortality increases with abnormal liver function, at higher doses, and in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and a history of prior treatment with platinum-based therapy receiving docetaxel at 100 mg/m(2). Avoid use in patients with bilirubin greater than the ULN, or AST or ALT greater than 1.5 x ULN concomitant with alkaline phosphatase greater than 2.5 x ULN; these patients are at increased risk for developing severe or life-threatening toxicities. Obtain LFTs prior to each treatment cycle. Do not use patients with neutrophil counts of less than 1500 cells/mm(3); obtain frequent blood counts to monitor for neutropenia. Severe hypersensitivity, including fatal anaphylaxis, has been reported in patients who received dexamethasone premedication. Severe reactions require immediate docetaxel discontinuation. Use is contraindicated in patients with a severe hypersensitivity to docetaxel or polysorbate 80. Severe fluid retention may occur despite dexamethasone .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Docefrez
- Taxotere
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent
Pharmacologic Class: Mitotic Inhibitor
Uses for docetaxel
Docetaxel injection is used to treat advanced or metastatic (cancer that has spread) breast cancer in patients who have previously received other cancer medicines that did not work well. It is also used together with other medicines (eg, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin) to treat node-positive breast cancer that can be removed by surgery.
Docetaxel injection is also used to treat advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who have previously received platinum-based cancer medicines that did not work well. It is also used together with cisplatin to treat advanced or metastatic NSCLC that cannot be removed by surgery in patients who have not received any cancer treatment for lung cancer.
Docetaxel injection is also used together with prednisone to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that has spread and is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone).
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