It was later determined that the oil in which Taxol is prepared was responsible for this effect. Subsequent evaluations have shown that premedication with steroids is dramatically effective in preventing such reactions. Lowering of blood count occurs about a week after treatment and resolves by the second to the third week. It is felt that Taxol does not irreversibly affect the bone marrow unlike some other types of chemotherapy. This usually occurs after multiple larger-dose treatments but can occur early on.
Neurologic effects can occur including effects on vision, muscle pain and motor skills.
Taxol can also cause an effect on the heart but this is felt to be modest in result. Nausea and diarrhea, the authors report, are only infrequently seen as is mucositis. This drug is metabolized mainly through the liver. Anti-tumor effects have been most importantly chartered for ovarian cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and head and neck cancer, as the authors note. Other tumors with beneficial effects include those of testicular, bladder and esophageal cancer.