Taxol is well-tolerated, especially in low doses, and side effects are often mild. You probably won't have all of these side effects, but here are some which may occur.
Possible Side effects:
- Peripheral neuropathy (tingling and numbness in hands and feet due to irritation of nerves)
- Neutropenia (low white blood cell count, greater risk of infection)
- Bone and muscle aches
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Mild diarrhea
- Mucositis (irritated mucous membrane in your mouth)
- Amenhorrea (monthly menstrual cycle stops)
- Changes in nails (brittle or yellowed)
- Allergic reaction to Taxol or Cremophor EL
- May harm your fetus
- Possible future infertility
- Low blood counts (anemia and neutropenia)
- Use L-Glutamine to prevent neuropathy
- Have injections (Neupogen, Neulasta) to boost white blood cell counts
- Use contraception
- Avoid alcohol
- Don’t take aspirin
- Don’t get vaccinations
- Protect nails with clear polish
Sources:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Oncology Tools Product Label Details in Conventional Order for Paclitaxel. Last updated: July 1, 1998. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/onctools/labels.cfm?GN=paclitaxel.
National Cancer Institute. Drug Information – Paclitaxel. Last Updated: 06/14/2007. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/paclitaxel.
American Cancer Society. Drug Guide. Paclitaxel. Last updated: 2004 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CDG/content/CDG_paclitaxel.asp.
