Docetaxel Injection

Brand names
  • Docefrez®
  • Taxotere®
Click on drug name to hear pronunciation

Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Last Revised - 08/15/2019

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or have ever been treated with cisplatin (Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin) for lung cancer. You may have a higher risk of developing certain serious side effects such as low levels of certain types of blood cells, severe mouth sores, severe skin reactions, and death.

Docetaxel injection may cause low levels of white blood cells in the blood. Your doctor will order laboratory tests regularly during your treatment to check whether the number of white blood cells in your body has decreased. Your doctor may also recommend that you check your temperature frequently during your treatment. Follow these instructions carefully. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, chills, sore throat, or other signs of infection.

Docetaxel injection may cause severe allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to docetaxel injection or drugs made with polysorbate 80, an ingredient found in some medications. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if a medication you are allergic to contains polysorbate 80. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: rash, hives, itching, warm sensation, chest tightness, fainting, dizziness, nausea or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Docetaxel injection may cause serious or life-threatening fluid retention (condition where the body keeps excess fluid). Fluid retention does not usually start immediately, and most commonly occurs around the fifth dosing cycle. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; weight gain; shortness of breath; difficulty swallowing; hives; redness; rash; chest pain;cough; hiccups; rapid breathing; fainting; lightheadedness; swelling of the stomach area; pale, grayish skin; or pounding heartbeat.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to docetaxel injection.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using docetaxel injection.

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.

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.

Because certain docetaxel injection preparations contains alcohol, you may experience certain symptoms during or for 1–2 hours after your infusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away: confusion, stumbling, becoming very sleepy, or feeling like you are drunk.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

Docetaxel injection is also sometimes used to treat ovarian cancer (cancer that begins in the female reproductive organs where eggs are formed). Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before using docetaxel injection,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to docetaxel injection, paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in docetaxel injection.

  • 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: antifungals such as itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole, and voriconazole (Vfend); clarithromycin (Biaxin); HIV protease inhibitors including atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase); medications containing alcohol (Nyquil, elixirs, others); medications for pain; nefazodone; sleeping pills; and telithromycin (no longer available in US; Ketek). 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 drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you plan on fathering a child. You should not become pregnant while you are using docetaxel injection. If you are female, you will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment and use birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 6 months after your last dose. If you are a male, you and your female partner should use birth control during your treatment and for 3 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use to prevent pregnancy during this time. If you or your partner become pregnant while using docetaxel injection, call your doctor immediately. Docetaxel injection may harm the fetus.

  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you are using docetaxel injection and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using docetaxel injection.

  • you should know that docetaxel injection may contain alcohol that could make you drowsy or affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

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

Call your doctor right away if you are unable to keep an appointment to receive a dose of docetaxel injection.

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

    • vomiting

    • 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

    • blurred vision

    • loss of vision

    • stomach pain or tenderness, diarrhea, or fever

  • Docetaxel injection may increase your risk of developing other cancers, such as blood or kidney cancer, several months or years after treatment. Your doctor will monitor you during and after your docetaxel treatment. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.

  • Docetaxel injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving 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 (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection

  • sores in the mouth and throat

  • skin irritation

  • weakness

  • numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the hands or feet

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Drug Interaction
Triamcinolone Triamcinolone The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Triamcinolone.
Pamidronate Injection Pamidronate Injection The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Pamidronic acid is combined with Docetaxel.
Zidovudine Injection Zidovudine Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Zidovudine is combined with Docetaxel.
Tenofovir Tenofovir The metabolism of Tenofovir can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Apomorphine Injection Apomorphine Injection The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Apomorphine.
Voriconazole Voriconazole The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Voriconazole.
Peginterferon Alfa-2a Injection Peginterferon Alfa-2a Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Peginterferon alfa-2a is combined with Docetaxel.
Ibandronate Ibandronate The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Ibandronate is combined with Docetaxel.
Live Shingles (Zoster) Vaccine (ZVL) Live Shingles (Zoster) Vaccine (ZVL) The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Varicella Zoster Vaccine (Live/attenuated) is combined with Docetaxel.
Rituximab Injection Rituximab Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Rituximab is combined with Docetaxel.
Azacitidine Injection Azacitidine Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azacitidine is combined with Docetaxel.
Tretinoin Tretinoin The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Tretinoin.
Alemtuzumab Injection (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) Alemtuzumab Injection (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alemtuzumab is combined with Docetaxel.
Fingolimod Fingolimod Docetaxel may increase the immunosuppressive activities of Fingolimod.
Eribulin Injection Eribulin Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Docetaxel is combined with Eribulin.
Belimumab Injection Belimumab Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Docetaxel is combined with Belimumab.
Roflumilast Roflumilast Roflumilast may increase the immunosuppressive activities of Docetaxel.
Linagliptin Linagliptin The metabolism of Linagliptin can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Rilpivirine Rilpivirine The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Rilpivirine.
Rivaroxaban Rivaroxaban The metabolism of Rivaroxaban can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Ticagrelor Ticagrelor The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Ticagrelor.
Brentuximab Vedotin Injection Brentuximab Vedotin Injection The metabolism of Brentuximab vedotin can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Ruxolitinib Ruxolitinib The metabolism of Ruxolitinib can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Vandetanib Vandetanib The metabolism of Vandetanib can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Vemurafenib Vemurafenib The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Vemurafenib.
Belatacept Injection Belatacept Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Docetaxel is combined with Belatacept.
Ivacaftor Ivacaftor The metabolism of Ivacaftor can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Axitinib Axitinib The metabolism of Axitinib can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Crizotinib Crizotinib The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Crizotinib.
Pertuzumab Injection Pertuzumab Injection The risk or severity of cardiotoxicity can be increased when Docetaxel is combined with Pertuzumab.
Testosterone Injection Testosterone Injection The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Testosterone.
Ziprasidone Injection Ziprasidone Injection The metabolism of Ziprasidone can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Injection Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemtuzumab ozogamicin is combined with Docetaxel.
Progestin-Only (drospirenone) Oral Contraceptives Progestin-Only (drospirenone) Oral Contraceptives The metabolism of Drospirenone can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Theophylline Theophylline The metabolism of Theophylline can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Trazodone Trazodone The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Trazodone.
Tranylcypromine Tranylcypromine The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Tranylcypromine.
Tetracycline Tetracycline The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Tetracycline.
Thioguanine Thioguanine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Tioguanine is combined with Docetaxel.
Azathioprine Azathioprine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Azathioprine is combined with Docetaxel.
Warfarin Warfarin The serum concentration of Warfarin can be increased when it is combined with Docetaxel.
Sulfinpyrazone Sulfinpyrazone The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Sulfinpyrazone.
Valproic Acid Valproic Acid The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Valproic acid.
Tamoxifen Tamoxifen The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Tamoxifen.
Levothyroxine Levothyroxine The excretion of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Levothyroxine.
Baclofen Baclofen The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Baclofen is combined with Docetaxel.
Mercaptopurine Mercaptopurine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Mercaptopurine is combined with Docetaxel.
Thiotepa Injection Thiotepa Injection The metabolism of Thiotepa can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Vincristine Injection Vincristine Injection The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Vincristine.
Vinblastine Vinblastine The metabolism of Docetaxel can be increased when combined with Vinblastine.
Aspirin Aspirin The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Acetylsalicylic acid is combined with Docetaxel.
Triazolam Triazolam The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Triazolam.
Trimethoprim Trimethoprim The risk or severity of myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria can be increased when Trimethoprim is combined with Docetaxel.
Verapamil Verapamil The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Verapamil.
Streptozocin Streptozocin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Streptozocin is combined with Docetaxel.
Epoetin Alfa, Injection Epoetin Alfa, Injection The risk or severity of Thrombosis can be increased when Erythropoietin is combined with Docetaxel.
Teniposide Injection Teniposide Injection The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Teniposide.
Tramadol Tramadol The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Tramadol.
Ticlopidine Ticlopidine The metabolism of Ticlopidine can be decreased when combined with Docetaxel.
Gemcitabine Injection Gemcitabine Injection The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Gemcitabine is combined with Docetaxel.
Indinavir Indinavir The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Indinavir.
Zafirlukast Zafirlukast The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Zafirlukast.
Thalidomide Thalidomide The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Thalidomide is combined with Docetaxel.
Rabeprazole Rabeprazole The metabolism of Docetaxel can be decreased when combined with Rabeprazole.

Content provided by: AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2021. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists