Medicinehospital

Docetaxel

Docetaxel is an intravenous chemotherapy for breast, lung, prostate, stomach and head-and-neck cancers.

Clinical information

Common uses

breast cancer
non-small cell lung cancer
metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (with prednisone)
advanced gastric and head-and-neck cancers

Common side effects

infections and low blood counts
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
hair loss and nail changes
fluid retention
tiredness, muscle pain and mouth sores

Cautions

boxed warning: toxic deaths, liver toxicity, severe neutropenia, fluid retention
severe allergic reactions can occur despite premedication
avoided with abnormal liver tests; blood counts checked each cycle
contains alcohol — may impair driving after infusion

Interactions

ketoconazole and other strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (avoid)
ritonavir and other protease inhibitors (raise docetaxel exposure)
CYP3A4 inducers or substrates (may alter docetaxel levels)

Pregnancy: avoid — can harm an unborn baby; use effective contraception

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, docetaxel injection label, setid 2992d633-08fa-44f3-b14d-41700f24686b (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations4

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Docetaxel	Parenteral ( Injection )	80mg	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Docetaxel	Parenteral ( Injection )	120mg	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Docetaxel	Parenteral ( Injection )	20mg	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Docetaxel	Parenteral ( Injection )	40mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital