Taxotere vs Abraxane vs Taxol Question

WinningSoFar

Does anyone know how taxotere differs from Abraxane.  Are they both the same as taxol, or is that different too? 

GrammyR

Alex- Abraxane is Pacitaxol - so same thing. I had it 8 years ago. Biggest SE was the neuropathy. Are you having any other chemo drug along w/it?

HUGS...

Rene

WinningSoFar

Dear Grammy,

I'm on Abraxane or I should say, I was on Abraxane.  A friend is on Taxotere and I was just wondering if they are both paclitaxol, but with different suspensions. 

springwatch

Alexgram,

I did a reply on this subject to Liz, a newbie about a week ago. I have copied much of it below:

"Taxol and Abraxane are essentially the same thing. Both contain paclitaxel, the generic name for our chemotherapy drug. Taxol and Abraxane are trade names. The difference is that taxol is a mix of paclitaxel, modified castor oil and ethanol, while abraxane is paclitaxel bound to the protein, albumin. Abraxane is a newer development intended to overcome possible reactions to the modified castor oil used in taxol, which is believed to be the real culprit in cases of severe allergic reactions to taxol chemotherapy. Abraxane comes off patent in 2016. I suspect that many more people will be given a generic form of abraxane when these cheaper alternatives come to the market. Your oncologist is right in saying they are very similiar. Both have the same 'active' ingredient. It is just the carrier for the drug which is different."

The only thing I can really add to that is that people taking abraxane do not need to be as heavily pre medicated as those on taxol, because of the reduced risk of severe allergy reactions which are largely associated with the modified castor oil used as a carrier for taxol. 

The side effects from the paclitaxel found in both taxol and abraxane will be the same. 

Hope that's useful. 

springwatch

Docetaxel, brand name taxotere, belongs to the same class of drugs, taxanes, as paclitaxel. It is not absolutely identical but operates inside the cells in much the same way. The choice on which one to use needs to be made by your MO. I have read that taxotere has been associated with more side effects, especially in the over 65's. A 2008 study found that taxol was marginally more effective than taxotere but only by 1 or 2%. This difference existed for both weekly or once every 3 weeks treatment with the drugs. It was just one study but they looked at 5000 women, so the sample size was large. 

WinningSoFar

Thank you all.  You guys are certainly better than Dr. Google in making it clear.  I'll pass it along to my friend. 

M360

Ladies I just started Abraxane and asked my doctor what was the difference and she said that Abraxane is plasma based that fixes to the protein, where Taxol isn't.  Less side effects and if it does work for those taking it, it will happen sooner than later.  

kathylowe

Anyone know about hair loss on Abraxane? Just had my second treatment yesterday. Weary today.

Moderators

Hi kathy, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're sorry for the reasons that bring you here, but really glad you've found us. We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in with their thoughts and experiences, but we wanted to share this page on Abraxane with you from the main Breastcancer.org site, which does list hair loss as a side effect of Abraxane.

We hope this helps and we wish you good luck in your treatment.

--The Mods