Allergic reaction to Taxol

[squeegie]

My mother was diagnosed with Stage III invasive lobular breast cancer.  She had a mastectomy of her right breast and removal of all lymph nodes on that side.  She finished 4 rounds of A&C and was just starting her first of 4 Taxol but had a severe allergic reaction to the drugs.  I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if so, what chemotherapy was administered instead of the Taxol?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear squeegie:  It is not uncommon to have a hypersensitivity reaction to taxol.  Depending on the "severity," doctors either premedicate before the next dose and give it more slowly or possibly switch to taxotere.

[squeegie]

Thank you for your responses.  Her oncologist has said that they would not continue with the Taxol, she has hives from head to toe, shortness of breath, generalized weakness and fatigue.  Is the taxotere in the same family of drugs?  Will there be similar side effects?

[dammie]

Dear squeegie,  I too had a very bad allergic reaction including chest pain and extreme difficulty breathing as well as my BP shooting up extremely high.  After reversing the reaction by stopping the taxol and giving high doses of benadryl and steroids, the doctors told me I was no longer a candidate for taxol.  They offered to try me on taxotere which I understand is still a member of the taxane family.  The difference for me was that taxol was to be given every two weeks and taxotere would be every three.   After careful consideration and discussion we decided to do a "challenge" of taxol again to see if I could handle it with premedication of steroids and benadryl along with a slower administration of the drug.  It worked.  However, prior to each dose it was necessary to take steroids 6 and 12 hours before the taxol.  With this routine, I had no further allergic problems with the taxol.  Ask you mom's doctor what the alternatives are.  Maybe she can still take the taxol with premedication before the dose.  Since that type of reaction is very serious, I would want to know the pros and cons of all choices before taking the next step.  Best wishes.