WARNING: TOXIC DEATHS, HEPATOTOXICITY, NEUTROPENIA, HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, and FLUID RETENTION
Treatment-related mortality associated with docetaxel is increased in patients with abnormal liver function, in patients receiving higher doses, and in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and a history of prior treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy who receive docetaxel as a single agent at a dose of 100 mg/m2 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].
Avoid the use of Docetaxel Injection in patients with bilirubin > upper limit of normal (ULN), or to patients with AST and/or ALT >1.5 × ULN concomitant with alkaline phosphatase >2.5 × ULN. Patients with elevations of bilirubin or abnormalities of transaminase concurrent with alkaline phosphatase are at increased risk for the development of severe neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, infections, severe thrombocytopenia, severe stomatitis, severe skin toxicity, and toxic death. Patients with isolated elevations of transaminase >1.5 × ULN also had a higher rate of febrile neutropenia. Measure bilirubin, AST or ALT, and alkaline phosphatase prior to each cycle of Docetaxel Injection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].
Do not administer Docetaxel Injection to patients with neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm3. Monitor blood counts frequently as neutropenia may be severe and result in infection [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Do not administer Docetaxel Injection to patients who have a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 [see Contraindications (4)]. Severe hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in patients despite dexamethasone premedication. Hypersensitivity reactions require immediate discontinuation of the Docetaxel Injection infusion and administration of appropriate therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].
Severe fluid retention occurred in 6.5% (6/92) of patients despite use of dexamethasone premedication. It was characterized by one or more of the following events: poorly tolerated peripheral edema, generalized edema, pleural effusion requiring urgent drainage, dyspnea at rest, cardiac tamponade, or pronounced abdominal distention (due to ascites) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].