Docetaxel is a chemotherapy drug in the taxane family. You get it as an IV infusion at a clinic or hospital. You may receive a steroid before treatment to help lower the chance of reactions and swelling. Share your full medication and health history with your care team before you start.
Brand Name(s)
- Beizray
- Docivyx
Docetaxel is also available as a generic. Brand names can vary.
Warning(s)
- Severe allergic reactions can happen. Some products contain polysorbate 80. Tell your care team if you are allergic to polysorbate 80.
- Serious side effects are more likely if you have liver problems, high bilirubin, or high liver enzymes. Risk is also higher in some people with lung cancer who had prior platinum chemotherapy. This drug may not be right for you. Your team will check labs to decide.
- Docetaxel can cause fluid retention and swelling. Tell your team right away if you have swelling, fast weight gain, or trouble breathing.
- Low blood cell counts (white cells, red cells, platelets) are common and can be severe. This can lead to infections, anemia, or bleeding and has rarely been deadly. You will have regular blood tests. Docetaxel must not be used in certain people with very low white blood cells.
- This medicine may contain alcohol. You may feel drunk during or soon after the infusion. Do not drive or do tasks needing alertness until you know how you feel. Tell your team if you feel confused, unsteady, or very sleepy.
- You have a higher chance of infection. Wash your hands often and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- You may bleed more easily. Be careful to avoid injury. A soft toothbrush and electric razor can help lower bleeding risk.
- Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Some vaccines may not work as well or could raise infection risk while you are on chemotherapy.
- Eye problems can occur. Call right away if you have blurred vision or vision loss. You may need eye exams.
- Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), are rare but serious. Get medical help now for widespread rash, blistering, or peeling skin.
- Serious bowel problems can happen and may occur early. Call urgently for severe stomach pain (with or without fever).
- Lung or breathing problems can occur. Report shortness of breath, cough, or fever.
- Liver problems, rarely deadly, have happened. Call right away for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, or stomach pain.
- If the drug leaks outside the vein (extravasation), it can damage tissue. Tell your nurse right away if you feel burning, pain, redness, swelling, blisters, or leaking at the IV site.
- Drug interactions can raise side effects. Tell your team about all medicines and supplements. Avoid certain drugs unless your doctor says otherwise, including atazanavir, clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telithromycin, and voriconazole.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Docetaxel can harm an unborn baby. You will have a pregnancy test before starting. If you can become pregnant, use birth control during treatment and for 2 months after your last dose. If your partner can become pregnant, use birth control during treatment and for 4 months after your last dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 1 week after your last dose.
- Docetaxel may affect the ability to father a child. If this matters to you, talk with your care team before treatment.
- Adults 65 and older may have more side effects.
Kind of Cancers It Is Used For (not a complete list)
- Breast cancer
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- Prostate cancer (often with other medicines)
- Stomach (gastric) cancer, including cancers where the esophagus meets the stomach (GEJ)
- Head and neck cancers (squamous cell)
Your care team may use docetaxel for other cancers when appropriate.
Mechanism of Action
Docetaxel is a taxane chemotherapy. It targets structures inside cells called microtubules and locks them in place. Cancer cells then cannot divide and grow, and many die.
Docetaxel also affects some fast-growing healthy cells, like those in hair follicles, the mouth, and the gut. This is why side effects such as hair loss and mouth sores can happen.
Common Side Effects
- Low blood counts (can cause tiredness, infections, or easy bruising)
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores
- Hair loss; hair and nail changes (color, ridging, brittleness)
- Taste changes
- Swelling or fluid retention in the hands, feet, or legs
- Numbness, tingling, or burning in hands or feet (nerve irritation)
- Flushing, muscle or joint pain
- Eye redness or watery eyes (more tearing)
- Changes in menstrual periods
Many side effects can be managed. Tell your care team if symptoms are severe, do not improve, or worry you. Call right away for signs of infection, bleeding, severe diarrhea, chest pain, trouble breathing, vision changes, or a severe rash.
Last reviewed: 2025-12-04
