Docetaxel
Brand Names: Docivyx, Beizray
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Docetaxel Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: 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.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Zero-PHI community consensus: 91% favorable across 18 logged regimens (Docivyx, Beizray).
- 3 Typical cash cost range: Public pharmacy ledger: $55.08 low cash benchmark vs. $134.95 chain retail average ($1.1500/unit CMS NADAC).
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Primary clinical safety signals tracked in FAERS for Docetaxel include nausea (11.9%), diarrhea (9.2%), constipation (6.4%).
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Docetaxel Mechanism, CYP450 Pathways & DailyMed Monograph
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.
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.
With Elimination kinetics span 5 to 13 hours per Docetaxel clinical pharmacology residence kinetics and Complete (~100%) parenteral systemic delivery for Docetaxel (20 mg/mL Injection, Solution) bioavailability, Docetaxel undergoes cytochrome cyp3a4 biotransformation with dual hepatorenal elimination and establishes therapeutic activity over rapid intravascular/parenteral onset within 15–45 minutes after docetaxel administration.
Standard adult regimens span 20 mg/mL Injection, Solution, 160 mg/16mL Injection, Solution, 10 mg/mL Injection, Solution, 10 mg/mL Injection, 80 mg/4mL Injection, Solution. Prescribers screen specifically against docetaxel injection is contraindicated in patients with: neutrophil counts of < 1500 cells/mm 3 .; a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80.; severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred ., while community micro-logs most frequently note nausea (11.9% of reports), diarrhea (9.2% of reports), constipation (6.4% of reports).
Azole antifungals or ritonavir can markedly raise Docetaxel plasma peaks; dose reduction may be warranted.
Co-prescribing strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers can modify Docetaxel metabolic elimination kinetics.
Standard Adult Titration & Dosages
Absolute & Relative Contraindications
- Docetaxel Injection is contraindicated in patients with: neutrophil counts of < 1500 cells/mm 3 .
- a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to docetaxel or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80.
- Severe reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred .
Logged Side-Effect Incidence (18 Reports)
Docetaxel Real-World Side Effects: openFDA FAERS vs. Patient Micro-Logs
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Docetaxel)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Insights on Age-related real-world benefits and safety of Darolutamide Plus: What a 1,086-Participant Study Found In the 219 patients aged ≥75 yr in ARASENS, darolutamide demonstrated improved efficacy versus placebo and favorable safety, consistent with the findings in patients aged <75 yr. European urology oncology • 2026-06-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 1,086 | 96/100 | PMID 41193271 ↗ |
| New Insights on Phase III trial of personalized peptide vaccination for castration‑resistant: What a 310-Participant Study Found PPV did not prolong OS in HLA‑A24‑positive patients with CRPC progressing after docetaxel chemotherapy. Oncology reports • 2021-01-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 310 | 93/100 | PMID 33200227 ↗ |
| New Insights on Efficacy of enzalutamide in subgroups of men with metastatic hormone-sensitive: What a 574-Participant Study Found Enzalutamide plus ADT demonstrated clinical benefit across all patients with mHSPC, irrespective of prior local and systemic. Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases • 2022-02-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 574 | 93/100 | PMID 34420037 ↗ |
| New Insights on TQB2440 compared with reference pertuzumab for HER2-positive, ER/PgR-negative,: What a 412-Participant Study Found TQB2440 showed equivalent efficacy, comparable safety, PK, and immunogenicity profiles to reference pertuzumab in the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with HER2-positive early or locally advanced breast cancer. ESMO open • 2026-01-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 412 | 93/100 | PMID 41401771 ↗ |
| New Insights on Association of Deep and Durable Prostate-specific Antigen Responses with Outcomes: What a 1,305-Participant Study Found Limitations include interim OS data in ARANOTE and influence of prior treatments on baseline PSA. European urology oncology • 2026-04-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 1,305 | 90/100 | PMID 40312181 ↗ |
Docetaxel Public Price Transparency Ledger
| Dispensing Channel / Benchmark | Verification Source | Reference Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Acquisition Cost (CMS NADAC) | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly National Survey | $1.1500/unit (~$34.50/30u) | Wholesale baseline |
| Average U.S. Walk-In Retail Cash Price | Chain Pharmacy Uninsured Cash Index | $134.95 / mo | Before coupon/insurance |
| Patient-Logged Out-of-Pocket Average | 18 Anonymous DotMD Community Micro-Logs | $55.08 / mo | View logs ↓ |
Docetaxel Federal Verification & Benchmark Summary
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Docetaxel RxNorm Concept ID | 1001405 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) |
| CMS NADAC Pharmacy Acquisition Unit Cost | $1.1500 / unit | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly Feed |
| Walk-In Chain Pharmacy Cash Average | $134.95 / mo | U.S. Uninsured Retail Cash Index |
| Public Mail-Order Wholesale Benchmark | $55.08 / mo (Patient Mean) | Public Cash Reference |
| Real-World Patient Consensus | 91.00% Worth It (18 anonymous logs) | DotMD Zero-PHI Patient Ledger |
Docetaxel Patient Community, Cohort Filters & Dosage Logs
Evidence synthesis for Docetaxel: FDA labeling (2024-08-15, NDC 16729-267), CYP/interaction screening, and public pharmacy acquisition costs.
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