Docetaxel
Also sold as: Docivyx, Beizray
Related Medications
These drugs share a pharmacologic classification but are NOT interchangeable. Listing here does not imply clinical equivalence. A physician must evaluate each drug individually for the patient's specific condition.
Classification: Microtubule Inhibition (source: RxClass/NLM)
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Docetaxel is an antineoplastic agent that acts by disrupting the microtubular network in cells that is essential for mitotic and interphase cellular functions. Docetaxel binds to free tubulin and promotes the assembly of tubulin into stable microtubules while simultaneously inhibiting their disassembly. This leads to the production of microtubule bundles without normal function and to the stabilization of microtubules, which results in the inhibition of mitosis in cells. Docetaxel's binding to microtubules does not alter the number of protofilaments in the bound microtubules, a feature which differs from most spindle poisons currently in clinical use.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Docetaxel Injection is a microtubule inhibitor indicated for: • Breast Cancer (BC): single agent for locally advanced or metastatic BC after chemotherapy failure; and with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide as adjuvant treatment of operable node-positive BC ( 1.1 ) • Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): single agent for locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after platinum therapy failure; and with cisplatin for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic untreated NSCLC ( 1.2 ) • Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC): with prednisone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer ( 1.3 ) • Gastric Adenocarcinoma (GC): with cisplatin and fluorouracil for untreated, advanced GC, including the gastroesophageal junction ( 1.4 ) • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN): with cisplatin and fluorouracil for induction treatment of locally advanced SCCHN ( 1.5 ) 1.1 Breast Cancer Docetaxel Injection is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy. Docetaxel Injection in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer. 1.2 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Docetaxel Injection as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy. Docetaxel Injection in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition. 1.3 Prostate Cancer Docetaxel Injection in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. 1.4 Gastric Adenocarcinoma Docetaxel Injection in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the treatme
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For all indications, toxicities may warrant dosage adjustments [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. Administer in a facility equipped to manage possible complications (e.g., anaphylaxis). Administer in a facility equipped to manage possible complications (e.g., anaphylaxis). Administer intravenously (IV) over 1 hour every 3 weeks. PVC equipment is not recommended. Use only a 21 gauge needle to withdraw Docetaxel Injection from the vial. • BC locally advanced or metastatic: 60 mg/m 2 to 100 mg/m 2 single agent ( 2.1 ) • BC adjuvant: 75 mg/m 2 administered 1 hour after doxorubicin 50 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles ( 2.1 ) • NSCLC: after platinum therapy failure: 75 mg/m 2 single agent ( 2.2 ) • NSCLC: chemotherapy-naïve: 75 mg/m 2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 ( 2.2 ) • CRPC: 75 mg/m 2 with 5 mg prednisone twice a day continuously ( 2.3 ) • GC: 75 mg/m 2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 (both on day 1 only) followed by fluorouracil 750 mg/m 2 per day as a 24-hour IV (days 1–5), starting at end of cisplatin infusion ( 2.4 ) • SCCHN: 75 mg/m 2 followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 IV (day 1), followed by fluorouracil 750 mg/m 2 per day as a 24-hour IV (days 1–5), starting at end of cisplatin infusion; for 4 cycles ( 2.5 ) • SCCHN: 75 mg/m 2 followed by cisplatin 100 mg/m 2 IV (day 1), followed by fluorouracil 1000 mg/m 2 per day as a 24-hour IV (days 1–4); for 3 cycles ( 2.5 ) For all patients: • Premedicate with oral corticosteroids ( 2.6 ) • Adjust dose as needed ( 2.7 ) 2.1 Breast Cancer • For locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 60 mg/m 2 to 100 mg/m 2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 3 weeks. • For the adjuvant treatment of operable node-positive breast cancer, the recommended Docetaxel Injection dose is 75 mg/m 2 administered 1 hour after doxorubicin 50 mg/m 2 and cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks for 6 courses. Prophylactic G-CSF may be used to mitigate the risk of hematological toxicities [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. 2.2 Non-small Cell Lung Cancer • For treatment after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy, docetaxel was evaluated as monotherapy, and the recommended dose is 75 mg/m 2 administered intravenously over 1 hour every 3 weeks. A dose of 100 mg/m 2 in patients previously treated with chemotherapy was associated with increased hematologic toxicity, infection, and treatment-related mortality in randomized controlled trials [ see Boxed Warning , Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Warnings and Precautions (5) , Clinical Studies (14) ]. • For chemotherapy-naïve patients, docetaxel was evaluated in combination with cisplatin. The recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m 2 administered intravenously over 1 hour immediately followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 over 30–60 minutes every 3 weeks [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. 2.3 Prostate Cancer • For metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks as a 1 hour intravenous infusion. Prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily is administered continuously [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. 2.4 Gastric Adenocarcinoma • For gastric adenocarcinoma, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m 2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion, followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 , as a 1 to 3 hour intravenous infusion (both on day 1 only), followed by fluorouracil 750 mg/m 2 per day given as a 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion for 5 days, starting at the end of the cisplatin infusion. Treatment is repeated every three weeks. Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics and appropriate hydration for cisplatin administration [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. 2.5 Head and Neck Cancer Patients must receive premedication with antiemetics, and appropriate hydration (prior to and after cisplatin administration). Prophylaxis for neutropenic infections should be administered. All patients treated on the Docetaxel Injection containing arms of the TAX323 and TAX324 studies received prophylactic antibiotics. Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Radiotherapy (TAX323) For the induction treatment of locally advanced inoperable SCCHN, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m 2 as a 1 hour intravenous infusion followed by cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 intravenously over 1 hour, on day one, followed by fluorouracil as a continuous intravenous infusion at 750 mg/m 2 per day for five days. This regimen is administered every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Following chemotherapy, patients should receive radiotherapy [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) ]. Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Chemoradiotherapy (TAX324) For the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced (unresectable, low surgical cure, or organ preservation) SCCHN, the recommended dose of Docetaxel Injection is 75 mg/m 2 as a 1 hou
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most serious adverse reactions from docetaxel are: • Toxic Deaths [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Hepatic Impairment [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Hematologic Effects [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] • Enterocolitis and Neutropenic Colitis [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Fluid Retention [ see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Second Primary Malignancies [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Cutaneous Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Neurologic Reactions [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Eye Disorders [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] • Asthenia [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] • Alcohol Content [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] The most common adverse reactions across all docetaxel indications are infections, neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, dysgeusia, dyspnea, constipation, anorexia, nail disorders, fluid retention, asthenia, pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, skin reactions, and myalgia. Incidence varies depending on the indication. Adverse reactions are described according to indication. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Responding patients may not experience an improvement in performance status on therapy and may experience worsening. The relationship between changes in performance status, response to therapy, and treatment-related side effects has not been established. Most common adverse reactions across all docetaxel indications are infections, neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, hypersensitivity, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, dysgeusia, dyspnea, constipation, anorexia, nail disorders, fluid retention, asthenia, pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, skin reactions, and myalgia. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Hospira, Inc. at 1-800-441-4100 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Breast Cancer Monotherapy with Docetaxel for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer after Failure of Prior Chemotherapy Docetaxel 100 mg/m 2 : Adverse drug reactions occurring in at least 5% of patients are compared for three populations who received docetaxel administered at 100 mg/m 2 as a 1-hour infusion every 3 weeks: 2045 patients with various tumor types and normal baseline liver function tests; the subset of 965 patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, both previously treated and untreated with chemotherapy, who had normal baseline liver function tests; and an additional 61 patients with various tumor types who had abnormal liver function tests at baseline. These reactions were described using COSTART terms and were considered possibly or probably related to docetaxel. At least 95% of these patients did not receive hematopoietic support. The safety profile is generally similar in patients receiving docetaxel for the treatment of breast cancer and in patients with other tumor types (see Table 3). Table 3: Summary of Adverse Reactions in Patients Receiving Docetaxel at 100 mg/m 2 Adverse Reaction All Tumor Types Normal LFTs Normal Baseline LFTs: Transaminases ≤1.5 times ULN or alkaline phosphatase ≤2.5 times ULN or isolated elevations of transaminases or alkaline phosphatase up to 5 times ULN n=2045 % All Tumor Types Elevated LFTs Elevated Baseline LFTs: AST and/or ALT >1.5 times ULN concurrent with alkaline phosphatase >2.5 times ULN n=61 % Breast Cancer Normal LFTs n=965 % Hematologic Neutropenia <2000 cells/mm 3 96 96 99 <500 cells/mm 3 75 88 86 Leukopenia <4000 cells/mm 3 96 98 99 <1000 cells/mm 3 32 47 44 Thrombocytopenia <100,000 cells/mm 3 8 25 9 Anemia <11 g/dL 90 92 94 <8 g/dL 9 31 8 Febrile Neutropenia Febrile Neutropenia: ANC grade 4 with fever >38°C with intravenous antibiotics and/or hospitalization 11 26 12 Septic Death 2 5 1 Non-Septic Death 1 7 1 Infections Any 22 33 22 Severe 6 16 6 Fever in Absence of Infection Any 31 41 35 Severe 2 8 2 Hypersensitivity Reactions Regardless of Premedication Any 21 20 18 Severe 4 10 3 With 3-day Premedication n=92 n=3 n=92 Any 15 33 15 Severe 2 0 2 Fluid Retention Regardless of Premedication Any 47 39 60 Severe 7 8 9 With 3-day Premedication n=92 n=3 n=92 Any 64 67 64 Severe 7 33 7 Neurosensory Any 49 34 58 Severe 4 0 6 Cutaneous Any 48 54 47 Severe 5 10 5 Nail Changes Any 31 23 41 Severe 3 5 4 Gastrointestinal Nausea 39 38 42 Vomiting 22 23 23 Diarrhea 39 33 43 Severe 5 5 6 Stomatitis Any 42 49 52 Severe 6 13 7 Alopecia 76 62 74 Asthenia Any 62 53 66 Severe 13 25 15 Myalgia Any 19 16 21 Severe 2 2 2 Arthralgi
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Docetaxel is a CYP3A4 substrate. In vitro studies have shown that the metabolism of docetaxel may be modified by the concomitant administration of compounds that induce, inhibit, or are metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4. In vivo studies showed that the exposure of docetaxel increased 2.2-fold when it was coadministered with ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4. Protease inhibitors, particularly ritonavir, may increase the exposure of docetaxel. Concomitant use of Docetaxel Injection and drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 may increase exposure to docetaxel and should be avoided. In patients receiving treatment with Docetaxel Injection close monitoring for toxicity and a Docetaxel Injection dose reduction could be considered if systemic administration of a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor cannot be avoided [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. • Cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, inhibitors, or substrates: May alter docetaxel metabolism. ( 7 )
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Docetaxel Injection is contraindicated in patients with: • neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm 3 [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]. • a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80. Severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]. • Hypersensitivity to docetaxel or polysorbate 80 ( 4 ) • Neutrophil counts of <1500 cells/mm 3 ( 4 )
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Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from FDA-approved labeling data and is for educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. This information does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always verify with current prescribing information and consult a licensed healthcare professional before any clinical decision. Read full disclaimer.
Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.