Taxanes Common Side Effects

Taxanes like paclitaxel and docetaxel are chemotherapy agents that are commonly used in the treatment of breast, lung, prostate and other cancers. Taxanes interfere with the microtubules in the cancer cell, stopping the cell from diving and causing its death, according to Chemocare.com. Taxane medications have some common side effects that may occur with either drug.

Bone Marrow Suppression

Like most chemotherapy drugs, taxanes can cause bone marrow suppression in many patients. Although the red blood cell and platelet levels also decrease during taxane therapy, the white blood cell levels may decrease the most, according to VirtualCancerCentre.com. Low red blood cell counts or anemia can make the patient feel tired, while low platelet numbers cause an increased the risk of bruising or bleeding. Low white blood cell counts, or neutropenia, may increase the risk of infection and may also cause the taxane treatment to be postponed, according to a 2003 article in the "British Journal of Cancer." For most patients, the white cell counts start to improve in about 21 days.

Nausea and Vomiting

Another side effect of taxane chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting, though these symptoms are often mild, according to Chemocare.com. Oncologists may prescribe antinausea medications like ondansetron and granisetron to help manage this problem.

Hair Loss

Complete loss of hair, or alopecia, is common with taxane chemotherapy, according to the "British Journal of Cancer" 2003 article. The entire body is often involved, and the condition occurs around 10 to 14 days after the start of treatment.

Peripherial Neuropathy

Tingling and numbness of the hands and feet, called peripheral neuropathy, can also be a side effect of either paclitaxel or docetaxel, according to the "British Journal of Cancer." These changes are caused by damage or irritation of the nerves in those areas, according to the textbook "100 Questions & Answers About Breast Cancer."

Hypersensitivity Reactions

For some patients, infusion of paclitaxel and docetaxel may also cause hypersensitivity reactions. According to VirtualCancerCentre.com, the symptoms of these reactions include flushing, hives and shortness of breath, often shortly after the infusion of the drug. The use of premedication, including antihistamines and corticosteroids, has significantly decreased the incidence of these types of reactions, according to the "British Journal of Cancer."