Docetaxel didn't work-anyone had another taxaxe work?

[DianneS]

My onc called today to say that the first infusion I had of Docetaxel was given correctly but I had a reaction anyway. I was not given benadryl before it was administered because it isn't given with this specific drug, but would be with other 'taxanes' because that is the protocol for them.

She said she wants to try another taxane. Have any of you had a reaction like this specifically to a taxane but been able to take another taxane without problems?

She said if I can't handle taxanes after this try then we would have to switch to the AC.

Please, I'd like to hear from ladies who have had this happen but were able to take other taxanes with no problem.

Thanks so much,
Diannes

[Chelee]

Diannes, Personally I have never heard of someone getting Taxotere without first being given benadryl. My onc and chemo nurse told me it was absolutely necessary to have the steroids and benadryl to protect me from reactions of all the drugs...especially taxotere.

Your onc might be right about this but I've never heard that? I would want the protection of the benadryl regardless of what they say. It's been over two yrs since I had TCH so maybe things have changed? Hopefully someone else can help you here. Hang in there.

Chelee

[chrisy]

I had Taxol, not Taxotere. I always had Benadryl IV and a steroid premed, as did all the ladies who were getting infusions of Taxotere.

But, as Chelee said, things may have changed. I did just check on the attached link drug info link, and it clearly said premedication with a corticosteroid. It says oral in advance, but my doctor used IV just prior to infusion instead.

http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxotere.asp

At any rate, the issue seems to be you reacted to taxotere (rather than it wasn't working), if you try Taxol (WITH appropriate premeds of steroid and benadryl) you may do fine. Or, you may be one of those people who are exquisitely sensitive to taxanes and it may not be an option. But I'd really push for getting the appropriate premeds before throwing in the towel on the taxanes.

Good luck

[Joy]

I have had both Taxol and Taxotere. I honestly do not remember if I had benadryl for taxotere. I had added herceptin to my taxotere/xeloda combo back then and they gave me benadryl for awhile and then I think I refused it-so now that I'm rambling maybe they didn't give it for taxotere (6 years ago anyway). I was also supposed to take decadron orally, but I hated it and kinda, sorta told tham I took it when I really didn't-I am not recommending that anyone else do that. I am kinda rebellious that way and it could have gone south for sure.

When I did Taxol a couple years later they told me that I absolutely had to take benadryl as Taxol is unpredictable i.e. a reaction could occur at any infusion and that just because the first or second went well doesn't guarantee that any other will. So I was a good girl for that and never had a reaction.

Anyway, best of luck in finding a solution and I will be curious to see others' experiences with all of this fun.

[Sheila]

Diane
Maybe they could give you Abraxane as most people do not get premeds with that and usually don't have reactions...it is a much nicer drug, still in the Taxane family, but also very expensive...my insurance would not pay for it, hence the Taxol....if they do give you a Taxane, insist on steroids IV before, like Dexamethasone...and Benedryl! And your Herceptin should ALWAYS be given LAST!!!!

[Mary Anne in TX]

I had both taxotere and later taxol. I had all the premeds with each. The taxotere did not work for me, but we tried it 4 times.
I had to have the drugs administered more slowly to keep from having a bad reaction. They kept up the hour to hour and a half for the taxol because the reaction with it came on the 4th treatment. No more problems after that. ma

[doh2pa]

Hi Dianne,

I had my first dose of Docetaxel last week and had an immediate reaction - drop in BP, flushing, coughing. They stopped the infusion, gave some saline, waited a few minutes and then gave me benadryl and steroid. They began the infusion 20 minutes later, starting off very slow and then increasing to full speed after 15 minutes. The rest of the infusion went off without a hitch.

Donna

[StephN]

Did not have reactions to EITHER Taxotere or Taxol, and I had both. Was given the premeds as others here indicated.

But, I do know women who had to go into the long infusion routine in order to tolerate the infusion of BOTH taxanes. One had to have her Taxotere over 6 hours, with 20 minute breaks every so often being hydrated in the breaks. She was on every 2 week dose, if I remember right.

[Joan M]

Dianne,

I was given only Taxol, which required both benadryl and decadron, a steroid. I thought all taxanes required the same.

I would search out the specifics on the web under the manufacturer and show that to your onc.

Joan