Two medicines, side by side
Docetaxel vs paclitaxel
Docetaxel and paclitaxel are both labeled for breast cancer and lung cancer. Drugs@FDA records approvals of docetaxel since 1996 and of paclitaxel since 1992.
Check it at the source: the docetaxel FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 15, 2025); the paclitaxel FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 21, 2026).
Highlights of the docetaxel record
Docetaxel (Taxotere) · label of July 15, 2025
TOXIC DEATHS, HEPATOTOXICITY, NEUTROPENIA, HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS, and FLUID RETENTION Treatment-related mortality associated with DOCIVYX is increased in patients with abnormal liver function, in patients receiving higher doses, and in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma and a history of prior treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy who receive DOCIVYX as a single agent at a dose of 100 mg/m 2 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsDOCIVYX 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 […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- May 14, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the paclitaxel record
Paclitaxel (Taxol) · label of January 21, 2026
Paclitaxel Injection, USP should be administered under the supervision of a physician experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available. Anaphylaxis and severe hypersensitivity reactions characterized by dyspnea and hypotension requiring treatment, angioedema, and generalized urticaria have occurred in 2%-4% of patients receiving paclitaxel in clinical trials.
Used for
From the label: indicationsPaclitaxel Injection, USP is indicated as subsequent therapy for the treatment of advanced carcinoma of the ovary. As first-line therapy, paclitaxel is indicated in combination with cisplatin. Paclitaxel is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of node-positive breast cancer administered sequentially to standard doxorubicin-containing combination chemotherapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Docetaxel label of July 15, 2025, Paclitaxel label of January 21, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do docetaxel and paclitaxel differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class microtubule inhibitors.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: docetaxel since 2014; paclitaxel since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Docetaxel | Paclitaxel | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Breast cancer, Lung cancer, Prostate cancer | Breast cancer, Lung cancer |
| Pharmacologic class | Microtubule Inhibitor | Microtubule Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Docetaxel is an antineoplastic agent that acts by disrupting the microtubular network in cells that is essential for mitotic and interphase cellular functions. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination With extended plasma sampling up to 8 to 22 days post infusion, the estimated mean total body clearance was 18 L/h/m 2 (range of means: 14 to 23) and mean terminal elimination half-life was 116 hours (range … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | May 14, 1996 | December 29, 1992 |
| First generic approved | November 5, 2014 | January 25, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 19 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | n/a |
| 12-month price change | n/a | n/a |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 67,030 | 98,464 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Docetaxel label, warnings and precautionsPatients who have previously experienced a hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel may develop a hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel that may include severe or fatal reactions such as anaphylaxis.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to docetaxel
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions