The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Hair loss (up to 76%)
- Fatigue or weakness (up to 66%)
- Nerve problems (up to 57%)
- Fluid buildup or swelling (up to 56%)
- Mouth sores or inflammation (up to 53%)
- Skin reactions (e.g., redness, swelling; up to 48%)
- Diarrhea (up to 42%)
- Nausea (34-39%)
- Nail changes (up to 31%)
- Fever (up to 31%)
- Muscle pain (up to 23%)
- Vomiting (22%)
- Allergic reaction (up to 21%)
*Side effects listed for docetaxel (Taxotere) when taken alone. Side effects and percentages might differ when docetaxel (Taxotere) is taken with other medications. Please see source below for more details.
Less Common Side Effects
- Joint pain
- Changes in taste
- Breathing or lung problems
- Infusion site reactions
Docetaxel serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious infections: repeated fevers, chills, sweating, trouble breathing, cough, sore throat, severe diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, painful or frequent urination
- Serious bleeds: bleeding or bruising that doesn’t stop or go away, large amount of bleeding, blood in the urine, throwing up blood, bloody or black and tarry stool
- Severe skin reactions: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin
- Vision changes
Source: DailyMed
The following Docetaxel side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
chills
decrease in the amount of urine
difficulty in swallowing
difficulty moving
dizziness
fainting
fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
hoarseness
irritation
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
lower back or side pain
muscle pain, cramps, or stiffness
noisy, rattling breathing
nosebleeds
pain or burning feeling in the throat
painful or difficult urination
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
redness of the skin
sensation of pins and needles
severe lack or loss of strength
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or tongue or inside the mouth
stabbing pain
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
tightness in the chest
trouble breathing
troubled breathing at rest
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Less common
Bluish color of the skin
blurred vision
burning or itching of the eyes
changes in skin color
chest discomfort
confusion
discharge, excessive tearing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
lightheadedness
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
rapid, shallow breathing
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
severe stomach pain
sweating
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Rare
Dilated neck veins
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
irregular breathing
nervousness
pounding in the ears
Incidence not known
Agitation
dark urine
decreased awareness or responsiveness
drowsiness
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
hostility
increased thirst
indigestion
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
mood or mental changes
muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching seizures
rapid, shallow breathing
rectal bleeding
seizures
severe abdominal pain, cramping, or burning
severe sleepiness
stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
stomach pain, continuing
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
bad, unusual or unpleasant (after)taste
change in sense of smell
change in taste
discoloration of the fingernails or toenails
dry skin hair loss or thinning of hair
stopping of menstrual bleeding
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
Less common
Dry, red, hot, or irritated skin
Incidence not known
Hearing loss
pain and redness of the skin at the place of earlier radiation treatment
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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