Taxotere 20mg/1ml Injection

Taxotere 20mg/1ml Injection contains docetaxel, a taxane-class chemotherapy medicine given by intravenous (IV) infusion under the direct supervision of an oncology specialist to treat certain cancers, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and head and neck cancer.

Docetaxel works by interfering with microtubules, the internal scaffolding cancer cells need to divide. It causes microtubules to form abnormally and prevents them from breaking down when they should, which blocks cancer cells from completing cell division and leads to their death.

Taxotere binds to tubulin, the protein building block of microtubules, and stabilises them against disassembly. Because cancer cells depend on the controlled assembly and breakdown of microtubules to separate their chromosomes during division, this stabilisation arrests the cell cycle and triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in rapidly dividing cancer cells.

This medicine is prepared and administered only by trained healthcare professionals as an IV infusion. Patients are usually given a corticosteroid (such as dexamethasone) before each infusion, as directed by the oncology team, to reduce the risk of fluid retention and hypersensitivity reactions.

Docetaxel is dosed by the treating oncologist based on body surface area, the specific cancer being treated, other medicines given alongside it, and the patient’s blood counts and organ function, then given as a timed intravenous infusion in a hospital or specialist infusion setting – this is never a self-administered or fixed home dose.

Refer to the expiry date printed on the packaging; this medicine is stored and handled only by healthcare facilities.

Stored under controlled conditions by the pharmacy or hospital as specified by the manufacturer; not intended for home storage.

• Low blood cell counts, including neutropenia (low white cells), which increases infection risk, and can occasionally be severe (febrile neutropenia)
• Hair loss (alopecia)
• Fluid retention (swelling of the legs, weight gain)
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
• Mouth sores (stomatitis) and fatigue

• Known hypersensitivity to docetaxel or polysorbate 80
• Severe liver impairment
• Baseline neutrophil count below the threshold set by the treating oncologist
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless specifically directed otherwise by the oncology team

• Medicines that strongly affect liver enzymes (such as certain antifungals, ketoconazole-type drugs, and some HIV protease inhibitors) can significantly change docetaxel levels and are managed carefully by the oncology team.
• Other chemotherapy or bone-marrow-suppressing medicines can increase the risk of severe low blood counts when combined.
• Inform your oncology team of every medicine, supplement, and herbal product you are taking before each cycle.

• Contact your care team immediately if you develop a fever, chills, or signs of infection during treatment – these can indicate a low white blood cell count that needs urgent attention.
• Report any numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hands or feet to your oncology team.
• Attend all scheduled blood tests before each infusion cycle, as these determine whether treatment can safely proceed.
• Tell your care team about any new swelling, breathlessness, or rapid weight gain, which may signal fluid retention.