Have you or a loved one used the chemotherapy treatment Taxotere? Do you experience uncontrollably watery eyes, even though you ended treatment? If so, you may have a permanent eye disorder called canalicular stenosis because of your cancer treatment, and you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Chemotherapy treatment is a difficult process, both physically and emotionally. This treatment typically causes severe side effects, which change the way you function and live your life. However, these side effects are a necessary discomfort to manage your cancer, and you expect them to end when you finish your treatment.
Unfortunately, for many cancer patients who have used the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, these negative symptoms may continue even after you have completed treatment. Sanofi-Aventis, the manufacturers of Taxotere, hid essential data about the long-lasting consequences of their chemotherapy treatment. As a result, numerous cancer patients, like yourself, are suffering from permanent damage to their eyes. Sanofi-Aventis must take responsibility for the harm they have caused, and you have the right to demand compensation for your suffering.
The North Dakota Taxotere lawsuit attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC are prepared to help you fight back against Sanofi-Aventis. We know your rights and we will ensure that you receive fair compensation for the impact Taxotere has had in your life. Hotze Runkle PLLC is ready to start work on your Taxotere case today. Take the first steps towards the compensation you need by taking our Taxotere quiz right now.
What Is Taxotere?
Taxotere, also called docetaxel, is a chemotherapy treatment commonly prescribed across the United States. This medication functions as a cancer treatment, by preventing the process of normal cell division throughout the body. Without cell division, the cancerous cells do not continue to grow, preventing the spread of your cancer. However, this medication does not differentiate between healthy cells and cancerous cells, causing a variety of unpleasant side effects.
Oncologists most commonly prescribe Taxotere for breast cancer treatment. However, Taxotere is used for other types of cancer, as well, including lung, prostate, ovarian, and head and neck cancer. Depending on the type and severity of your cancer, you may have received Taxotere by itself or in combination with other chemotherapy medications.
Like many chemotherapy treatments, Taxotere is administered through intravenous injections, for the duration of your treatment. For particularly aggressive treatment, your oncologist may have prescribed weekly Taxotere treatment sessions. However, current research suggests that even if you took Taxotere once every three weeks, you are still at risk of developing a serious eye disorder called canalicular stenosis, the main symptom of which is epiphora (watery eyes).
What Is Epiphora?
Epiphora is the medical term for extremely watery eyes, which creates the appearance that you are crying. In the most severe cases, you may experience the sensation of crying nearly constantly, and you are unable to control the overflow of tears onto your face.
Many cancer patients who experience epiphora have difficulty performing daily tasks, such as driving, reading, or watching tv.
Among all of the other side effects of cancer treatment, epiphora may not seem particularly serious. However, according to the American Cancer Society, watery eyes that continue even after you discontinue chemotherapy are a clear sign of canalicular stenosis.
What Is Canalicular Stenosis?
Canalicular stenosis is a serious and permanent eye disorder, which prevents your eyes from removing tears normally. Epiphora is the primary symptom of canalicular stenosis, but this disorder is far more serious than occasional watery eyes.
When your eyes are healthy, they produce tears throughout the day. These tears help to keep your eyes lubricated, and they remove any dirt or debris which could harm your eyes. You typically do not notice these tears because the eye removes them through an internal network of tubes called the canaliculi.
Canalicular stenosis occurs when the canaliculi become blocked, which prevents tears from flowing through them. Your eye will continue to produce tears normally, but there is no system for removing used tears from your eyes, resulting in an overflow of tears onto your face.
Watery eyes are not the only symptom of canalicular stenosis, which for many people is not only frustrating but also painful. Some of the other most common symptoms related to canalicular stenosis and epiphora include:
- Eye redness
- Swelling of the eyelids and surrounding skin
- Sharp eye pain
- A constant feeling that something is in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
Canalicular stenosis changes your physical appearance, in and around your eyes, but this disorder may also cause serious changes to your vision.
Taxotere and Canalicular Stenosis
According to a study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the drug Taxotere has a direct connection to canalicular stenosis, leading to watery eyes even after you stop your chemotherapy treatment. Canalicular stenosis occurs when docetaxel, sold under the brand name Taxotere, secretes into your tears during chemotherapy. This secretion irritates the canaliculi and causes chronic irritation, preventing your tears from flowing through the canaliculi.
If your oncologist recognizes the symptoms of canalicular stenosis early in your cancer treatment, you can prevent the complete closure of the canaliculi, with the help of an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, because the Taxotere manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis did not disclose information about the connection between Taxotere and canalicular stenosis, many ophthalmologists do not recognize this concerning symptom.
Once the canaliculi close completely, the only treatment options available involve invasive surgery to reopen the canaliculi. Even if you have surgery to correct canalicular stenosis, you may still need continued surgery to ensure that the canaliculi remain unobstructed and healthy.
When you take the advice of your oncologist, so you can survive your cancer, you do not expect to have to manage any other life-altering health concerns in the process. However, your oncologist can only keep you healthy when they have all of the necessary information about the medications they are offering.
Sanofi Aventis was not upfront about their chemotherapy treatment and the consequences it can create for cancer patients. If this company had told the truth, they could have protected numerous cancer patients from developing canalicular stenosis. It is time to force this company to face the consequences of their reprehensible actions.
How Can an Attorney Help?
If you have developed canalicular stenosis after taking Taxotere, you are facing the possibility of numerous surgeries and on-going medical treatment for this disorder. Not only is canalicular stenosis painful and disruptive to your life, but managing this disorder is incredibly expensive.
You and your loved ones should not have to face a serious financial burden because of Sanofi-Aventis’ actions. You need to work with a skilled Taxotere lawsuit attorney, to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your suffering. Your attorney will help you understand your rights throughout this legal battle, and they will answer your questions at every step along the way. They will also help you build a strong case, which best represents the evidence and arguments that prove Sanofi-Aventis’ wrongdoing.
You need this compensation so you can afford all the medical intervention necessary for canalicular stenosis. However, the attorneys working for Sanofi-Aventis will try to prevent you from receiving the money you deserve, by any means necessary. Your attorney will fight back against these underhanded tactics, to ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your suffering. Furthermore, if Sanofi-Aventis tries to offer you a settlement that is less than what you deserve, your attorney will take them to court.
Entering into a lawsuit may feel overwhelming, but you deserve better than the mistreatment and pain Sanofi-Aventis has caused. After all of the pain and frustration you have experienced, you deserve a lawyer who will advocate for you and make sure that you get the compensation you need.
Why Choose Hotze Runkle PLLC
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC believe in your right to compensation when you have developed canalicular stenosis from Taxotere. We are prepared to take on your case and use aggressive legal tactics to fight for your rights. Hotze Runkle PLLC has experience taking on large pharmaceutical companies, like Sanofi-Aventis, so we know how to make the strong legal arguments that are most likely to help you win your case.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC understand that this is a difficult and confusing time for you and your loved ones. We are dedicated to supporting our clients’ needs, so you never feel alone during this process. We will offer you the respect you deserve, and we are prepared to do everything necessary to make this process easier for you. Hotze Runkle PLLC knows how important this case is for your health and your life, and we will fight hard to help you win.
Take Our Quiz
If you or a loved one developed canalicular stenosis, after using Taxotere as chemotherapy treatment, you need compensation now. You cannot afford to wait any longer to start your lawsuit, and Hotze Runkle PLLC is ready to help. Take our Taxotere quiz today to find out how our attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve. You have suffered an injustice at the hands of Sanofi-Aventis, but with the help of Hotze Runkle PLLC, you can receive the financial support you need to make this situation right.