About Taxol™

What is Taxol™?

Taxol, or paclitaxel, is a drug used for treating certain women who have advanced breast or ovarian cancer. Paclitaxel is a compound that is extracted from the bark of the Pacific yew tree.

In December of 1992, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Taxol for treatment of ovarian cancer that had not responded to standard chemotherapy. Subsequent clinical trials demonstrated that Taxol was also effective in treating advanced breast cancer. In April of 1994, the FDA approved Taxol for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer that did not respond to combination chemotherapy, or breast cancer that had recurred within 6 months after the completion of initial chemotherapy.

Taxol is given as an infusion drip into the vein.

What are possible side effects of Taxol?

Women considering taking Taxol should consult their physician. Everyone experiences side effects differently. Side effects of Taxol may include:

• hair loss
  
  
• numbness of the fingers and toes
  
  
• neutropenia - a decrease in white blood cells which may increase the risk of infections
  
  
• nausea and vomiting
  
  
• headaches
  
  
• mouth sores
  
  
• aching or pain in joints and muscles
  
  
• diarrhea
  
  
• skin rash

According to the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Association, the risks associated with Taxol are believed to be outweighed by the benefits for persons with advanced breast cancer.

Research continues to evaluate the effectiveness of the Taxol as well as the development of a new semi-synthetic paclitaxel.

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