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Paclitaxel (Taxol) (paclitaxel)
Chemotherapy (taxane) · Used for: Breast cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer
💉 Given by IV or injection · Chemotherapy (taxane)
Cliff notes
What it is: Chemotherapy (taxane).
How it's given: An IV infusion, weekly or every 3 weeks. You'll get medicines beforehand to prevent allergic reactions.
How it works: Paclitaxel stops cancer cells from splitting into two by freezing a structure inside them (microtubules).
Common side effects and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Hair loss | Very common, usually total. It grows back after treatment. |
| Numbness and tingling in hands and feet | Tell your team early so they can adjust your dose. |
| Low blood counts | Hand washing. |
| Muscle and joint aches | Usually a few days after; ask about pain relief. |
| Nausea, diarrhea, mouth sores | Small meals, salt rinses. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills (possible infection when blood counts are low)
- Vomiting or diarrhea that won't stop, or you can't keep fluids down
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Signs of an allergic reaction during or after an infusion: trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, hives
- Numbness that makes it hard to walk or hold things
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Medicines to prevent allergic reactions, given before each infusion.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ During each infusion
- You'll get the medicine through an IV in a clinic; nurses check you during the infusion.
- Tell the nurse right away about chills, itching, flushing or trouble breathing.
- Bring a snack, water and something to pass the time.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Hair loss | ☐ | |
| Numbness and tingling in hands and feet | ☐ | |
| Low blood counts | ☐ | |
| Muscle and joint aches | ☐ | |
| Nausea, diarrhea, mouth sores | ☐ |
Help paying for Paclitaxel (Taxol)
Generic chemo has no single manufacturer program, so the copay foundations below are your best bet.
- PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
- Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
- NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.
📋 Medicare: Medicare Part B usually covers drugs given by infusion in a doctor's office or hospital outpatient clinic. You typically pay 20% after the Part B deductible. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
Regimens that include Paclitaxel (Taxol)
💬 What experts are saying
OncLive reports that on February 10, 2026, the FDA approved Keytruda with weekly paclitaxel (with or without Avastin) for some people with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer whose tumors test positive for PD-L1. A tumor test is used to see who may qualify.
Source: KEYNOTE-B96 Approval Reinforces Shift Toward Biomarker-Driven Treatment in Recurrent PROC (OncLive, March 5, 2026)
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❓ Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support groups
- Susan G. Komen: Breast care helpline, treatment assistance and education
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Helpline, peer support and programs for metastatic breast cancer
- LUNGevity: Patient education, support groups and survivorship programs
- GO2 for Lung Cancer: Helpline, biomarker testing support and navigation
- Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): Woman to Woman peer support, education and research
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC): Support groups, the Teal Hearts Network and education
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Common questions
Does paclitaxel cause hair loss?
Yes, it's very common. Some cancer centers offer scalp cooling to reduce it.
Is neuropathy from paclitaxel permanent?
It often improves after treatment, but for some people it lasts. Reporting it early lets your team lower the dose.
📄 The official FDA label for Paclitaxel (Taxol), including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write