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Regimen Information

For Taxol, including Side Effects

Taxol

Drugs in this Regimen:

For the treatment of Breast Cancer

How Taxol chemotherapy is given and possible side effects.

Taxol for the treatment of Breast Cancer

Taxol (paclitaxel) is a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer.

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF TAXOL

  • Neuropathy

  • Nausea & Vomiting

  • Mouth Sores

  • Diarrhea

For more information, see the 'Expert Resources' tab below.

Community Responses

Often, the most helpful information regarding treatment side effects comes not from clinical brochures, but rather from other patients like you. We've collected the most helpful community resources to help you prepare for the side effects and coping tips for your chemotherapy regimen.

What side effects did you experience while on this medication?

The following have been voted the 3 most helpful responses to this question.

Hi, I'm SUZANNE S.
I have stage for triple negative breast cancer. I’ve been dealing with cancer for the last 11 years of my life but the last three years with terminal cancer. I’m not sure if I’ll be dying from the tumors strangling my vital organs or the chemotherapy. How do I get here? If you go to the Cancer Society, I must’ve done something wrong, although I never smoked. Maybe it was the few pounds, maybe I just wasn’t active enough, maybe it was stress but whatever it was, I had to be a major contributor. Thank you cancer society for firmly planting the responsibility on my shoulders. I find it very difficult to believe that after all this time cancer research can’t come up with better answers to my situation. The only solution offered to me is the chemo and lots of morphine. I have tried everything to help cope with the side effects with no avail. Is it possible that cancers is just too big a money maker? Suz
  • Thu Mar 24, 2016
Hi, I'm THERESA

The 1st Taxol treatment went well with all the premeds given for prevention of side effects. I did have some chest pain after the Taxol drip begin but was given Ativan and continued on just fine. The day after the 2nd treatment, I begin having trouble with upper and lower GI symptons. There are meds the Dr. prescribes to manage these. My hair had thinned with fallout, so I’ve shaved the rest off. The fatigue, and neuropathy hit the day after the 3rd treatment. I had an allergic reaction breaking out with a burning rash on the 4th day after treatment. Dr. prescribed prednisone and hydroxyzine which is taking care of burning itch and rash. I’ve had some nausea this round. I have definitely been more fatigued this time. Chemo is working! April 1st, I return for the last Taxol treatment. Yay!
On April 15th, I will begin the AC treatments going in once every two weeks for four infusions.
I’m thankful for the H.O.G. staff! They are compassionate and dependable, which brings much comfort through this season of life.

  • Mon Mar 25, 2013
Hi, I'm Debbie O

This is my second go-around with Taxol. The first was dose-dense every two weeks for 3 doses following AC. I was supposed to get four, but had chest pain after third, which may have been due to the Nupogen. That was in 2015. MBC to bones in 2018, then to Omentum/mesentery in 2021. Following Ibrance/ Faslodex and Xeloda/ Faslodex, I was switched to Taxol. Lower dose 3 weeks on/ 1 week off. Experienced diarrhea after first doses. Hair loss at day 14. Had an extra week off after first cycle due to both low ANC and low Potassium. Have finished 2 of six cycles. Just started third cycle last week.

  • Mon May 17, 2021
I'm Danny, and I support someone with cancer

My wife takes the taxol.She seems be be hoarse and losing her voice .Is this a common side effect? I did’nt see it listed on the side effects.

  • Tue Jan 8, 2013
Hi, I'm Auntie19

I have neuropaty since using Taxol…. I could scream, what did you do for the ache…I have NO idea how long I will be on this chemo.. It’s been 6 mo already….It hits me about 3 days following treatment and I’m usually pretty much down until the day be next reatment.. I am 3 weeks on and 1 week off. as long as my white count is ok…. which often is not by the 3rd week….

  • Tue Jan 15, 2013
Hi, I'm THERESA

The 1st Taxol treatment went well with all the premeds given for prevention of side effects. I did have some chest pain after the Taxol drip begin but was given Ativan and continued on just fine. The day after the 2nd treatment, I begin having trouble with upper and lower GI symptons. There are meds the Dr. prescribes to manage these. My hair had thinned with fallout, so I’ve shaved the rest off. The fatigue, and neuropathy hit the day after the 3rd treatment. I had an allergic reaction breaking out with a burning rash on the 4th day after treatment. Dr. prescribed prednisone and hydroxyzine which is taking care of burning itch and rash. I’ve had some nausea this round. I have definitely been more fatigued this time. Chemo is working! April 1st, I return for the last Taxol treatment. Yay!
On April 15th, I will begin the AC treatments going in once every two weeks for four infusions.
I’m thankful for the H.O.G. staff! They are compassionate and dependable, which brings much comfort through this season of life.

  • Mon Mar 25, 2013
Hi, I'm SUZANNE S.
I have stage for triple negative breast cancer. I’ve been dealing with cancer for the last 11 years of my life but the last three years with terminal cancer. I’m not sure if I’ll be dying from the tumors strangling my vital organs or the chemotherapy. How do I get here? If you go to the Cancer Society, I must’ve done something wrong, although I never smoked. Maybe it was the few pounds, maybe I just wasn’t active enough, maybe it was stress but whatever it was, I had to be a major contributor. Thank you cancer society for firmly planting the responsibility on my shoulders. I find it very difficult to believe that after all this time cancer research can’t come up with better answers to my situation. The only solution offered to me is the chemo and lots of morphine. I have tried everything to help cope with the side effects with no avail. Is it possible that cancers is just too big a money maker? Suz
  • Thu Mar 24, 2016
Hi, I'm Linda Thomas

I had stage 4 TNBC, I was told it was genetic however I don’t have anyone on either sides have had TNBC. As I am very small the tumor was on my breast muscle so they did chemo first, to shrink the tumor. The first 4 treatments was the ‘Red Devil’ every other week, then they tried Traxol. After only 3 treatments my Doctor stopped it as it was giving me neuropathy. Had an MRI don last week all that’s left is fluid which I’ll have surgery to remove. They told me it can take a few months for the neuropathy to completely go away. If it stays on for more than a year then it’s permanent. I don’t have any pain with it just numbness, some days better than others. Hope this helps and God bless.

  • Sat Nov 24, 2018
Hi, I'm Linda Thomas

I had stage 4 TNBC, I was told it was genetic however I don’t have anyone on either sides have had TNBC. As I am very small the tumor was on my breast muscle so they did chemo first, to shrink the tumor. The first 4 treatments was the ‘Red Devil’ every other week, then they tried Traxol. After only 3 treatments my Doctor stopped it as it was giving me neuropathy. Had an MRI don last week all that’s left is fluid which I’ll have surgery to remove. They told me it can take a few months for the neuropathy to completely go away. If it stays on for more than a year then it’s permanent. I don’t have any pain with it just numbness, some days better than others. Hope this helps and God bless.

  • Sat Nov 24, 2018
Hi, I'm Debbie O

This is my second go-around with Taxol. The first was dose-dense every two weeks for 3 doses following AC. I was supposed to get four, but had chest pain after third, which may have been due to the Nupogen. That was in 2015. MBC to bones in 2018, then to Omentum/mesentery in 2021. Following Ibrance/ Faslodex and Xeloda/ Faslodex, I was switched to Taxol. Lower dose 3 weeks on/ 1 week off. Experienced diarrhea after first doses. Hair loss at day 14. Had an extra week off after first cycle due to both low ANC and low Potassium. Have finished 2 of six cycles. Just started third cycle last week.

  • Mon May 17, 2021

This discussion needs your voice!

What were the specific side effects that you experienced while taking this medication? How did you manage them?

What coping tips would you give to new patients on this regimen?

There are currently no answers to this question. Be the first to answer!

This discussion needs your voice!

What do you wish you had known before taking this medication? What information would you like to pass on to patients who are beginning this medication?

Treatment Overview

This chemotherapy regimen is commonly used to treat:

See Expert Resources

The Navigating Care Library includes articles about cancer, chemotherapy regimens and drugs from the the National Cancer Institute and other experts.