GENERIC NAME: RALOXIFENE - ORAL (ra-LOX-ih-feen)
BRAND NAME(S): Evista
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat bone loss (osteoporosis) in women after menopause. Maintaining strong bones by slowing bone loss helps to reduce the risk of fractures. This drug is different from hormones (including estrogens and progestins). It works by acting like estrogen (as a selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM) in some parts of the body. Raloxifene helps to preserve bone mass, but it does not affect the breast and uterus like estrogen or relieve symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. This medication is not recommended for use in women before menopause. It should not be used in children.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth usually once a day, with or without food, or as directed by your doctor. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Be sure to include adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to see if you need to take calcium/vitamin D supplements. This medication comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you may have.
SIDE EFFECTS: Hot flashes, sweating, or leg cramps may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Raloxifene may infrequently cause serious blood clots to form in the legs, lungs, or eyes. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: leg swelling/pain, trouble breathing, chest pain, vision changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking raloxifene, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, or if you have any other allergies. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: active or past history of blood clots (e.g., deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, retinal vein thrombosis). Lack of movement may increase the risk for blood clots. Your doctor will instruct you to stop taking this medication at least 3 days before surgery or during long periods of inactivity (e.g., bedrest). Do not start taking raloxifene until you are routinely and actively moving again. During long periods of travel, walk or move periodically to keep the blood flowing through your body. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, congestive heart failure, cancer, high blood cholesterol levels, history of high blood fat (triglyceride) levels due to estrogen treatment. This medication must not be used during pregnancy because it may cause fetal harm. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- estradiol, Estrace, Climara, Estraderm - Deciphers the medication estradiol (Estrace, Climara, Estraderm), a drug prescribed for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause, prevention of bone fractures associated with osteoporosis, reduction of the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
- Preventive Mastectomy - Learn the pros and cons of preventive mastectomy (prophylactic mastectomy), a breast cancer prevention procedure. Read about surgery complications and reconstruction.
- Osteoporosis - Get information on osteoporosis causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment (drugs), prevention (diet, weight-bearing exercise), statistics, risk factors (hereditary) and research.
Latest Medical News
Back to Medications Index
Interactive Slideshows