- Infections due to low while blood cell count.  Among the body’s defenses against bacterial infections are white blood cells.  Between your paclitaxel treatment cycles, you will often have blood tests to check your white blood cell counts.  Paclitaxel usually causes a brief drop in white blood cells. If you have a fever (temperature above 100.4ºF) or other sign of infection, tell your doctor right away.  Sometimes serious infections develop that require treatment in the hospital with antibiotics.  Serious illness or death could result if such infections are not treated when white blood cell counts are low.

- Hair loss. Complete hair loss, or alopecia, almost always occurs with paclitaxel. This usually involves the loss of eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair, as well as scalp hair. It can occur suddenly after treatment has begun, but usually happens 14 to 21 days after treatment. Hair generally grows back after you’ve finished your paclitaxel treatment.

- Joint and muscle pain. You may get joint and muscle pain a few days after your paclitaxel treatment.  These symptoms usually disappear in a few days.  Although pain medicine may not be necessary, tell your doctor if you are uncomfortable.

- Irritation at the injection site.  Paclitaxel sometimes causes irritation at the site where it enters the vein.  Reactions may include discomfort, redness, swelling, inflammation (of the surrounding skin or of the vein itself), and ulceration (open sores). These reactions are usually caused by the I.V. (intravenous) fluid leaking into the surrounding area. If you notice anything unusual at the site of the injection (needle), either during or after treatment, tell your doctor right away.

- Low red blood cell count. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to tissues throughout all parts of the body and take carbon dioxide from the tissues by using a protein called hemoglobin. A lowering of the volume of red blood cells may occur following paclitaxel treatment causing anemia. Some patients may need a blood transfusion to treat the anemia.

   Patients can feel tired, tire easily, appear pale, and become short of breath. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms following paclitaxel treatment.

- Mouth or lip sores (mucositis). Some patients develop redness and/or sores in the mouth or on the lips. These symptoms might occur a few days after the paclitaxel treatment and usually decrease or disappear within one week. Talk with your doctor about proper mouth care and other ways to prevent or reduce your chances of developing mucositis.

- Numbness, tingling, or burning in the hands and/or feet (neuropathy). These symptoms often occur with paclitaxel and usually get better or go away without medication within several months of completing treatment.  However, if you are uncomfortable, tell your doctor so that he/she can decide the best approach for relief of your symptoms.

- Stomach upset and diarrhea.  Some patients experience nause