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What are the most common side effects from Taxol and Herceptin (TH) chemotherapy?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Somerset, WI
June 5, 2024
 · 
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MyBCTeam

The most common side effects from Taxol (Paclitaxel), Herceptin (Trastuzumab), and chemotherapy include:

Taxol (Paclitaxel)
- Alopecia (whole-body hair loss)
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Increased risk of infections
- Leukopenia (decreased number of healthy white blood cells)
- Anemia (lower numbers of red blood cells) Show Full Answer

The most common side effects from Taxol (Paclitaxel), Herceptin (Trastuzumab), and chemotherapy include:

Taxol (Paclitaxel):
- Alopecia (whole-body hair loss)
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Increased risk of infections
- Leukopenia (decreased number of healthy white blood cells)
- Anemia (lower numbers of red blood cells)
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Neuropathy (peripheral-nerve damage causing shooting, sharp, or burning sensations)
- Muscle and joint pain
- Mouth ulcers (sores)
- Rashes and other skin reactions
- Exhaustion or fatigue
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

Herceptin (Trastuzumab):
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Chills
- Rare but serious side effects: heart failure, lung damage, severe infusion reactions

Chemotherapy:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Mouth sores
- Low white blood cell count (leading to weakened immune system)

Always report any side effects to your healthcare provider, as they can help manage and mitigate these effects.

June 5, 2024
A MyBCTeam Member

Neuropathy in fingers and toes is a common side effect of Taxol.

June 5, 2024
A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Melissa, my chemo was Taxotere, Herceptin and Carboplatin.
Hair loss happened first, then anemia with low red blood cells and platelets.
With that came extreme fatigue. I would feel like I had the energy to do something, and then the energy was gone- like all the air was suddenly out of the balloon. then add in the Brain fog and neuropathy.
The good news is once the chemo was done, and I moved to just the Herceptin, things began to improve- and continued to improve for over a year. I have now been out of active treatment for 4 years- and so far so good! Wishing you all the best outcomes with your protocols, reach out anytime! Hugs!

June 5, 2024

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