Generic name: raloxifene [ra-LOX-i-feen]
Brand name: Evista is the brand name
Dosage form: mouth pill (60 mg)
Types of drugs: Hormones/antineoplastics and selective estrogen receptor modulators are types of drugs.
Raloxifene is a drug
Raloxifene is used to help women who are past menopause who have osteoporosis.
Men shouldn’t take raloxifene.
Raloxifene can also be used for things that aren’t mentioned in this article.
Warnings
Raloxifene may make it more likely that you will get a blood clot in your leg, lung, or eye. If you have ever had this kind of blood clot, you shouldn’t take raloxifene.
Raloxifene can also make you more likely to have a stroke, which is dangerous and can kill you. This risk is largest if you smoke, have heart trouble or high blood pressure, or have ever had a heart attack or stroke.
Even though this medicine is only for women who have been through menopause, you shouldn’t take raloxifene if you are pregnant or nursing.
Before you take this drug
This medicine could make it more likely for you to get a blood clot in your leg, lung, or eye. If you have ever had this kind of blood clot, you shouldn’t take raloxifene.
This medicine is only for women who can’t get pregnant anymore. Raloxifene can hurt a baby in the womb. If you are pregnant or might get pregnant, don’t use.
If you are taking raloxifene, you should not breastfeed.
Raloxifene can make you more likely to have a stroke, which could kill you. You should tell your doctor if you have ever:
• trouble with the heart or abnormal heartbeats;
• a heart attack or stroke, including a “mini-stroke”;
• elevated blood pressure;
• cancer;
• if you smoke.
You should tell your doctor if you have ever:
• clots of blood;
• triglycerides are high because of estrogen;
• disease of the liver or kidneys;
• endometriosis;
• abnormal bleeding from the womb; or
• If you haven’t gone through menopause.
How do I take the drug raloxifene?
Follow all of the rules on the package of your medicine, and read any tips or instruction sheets that come with it. Follow the directions to the letter.
Take the medicine every day at the same time, whether you are eating or not.
If you need major surgery or will be bedridden for a long time, you must stop taking raloxifene at least 3 days in advance. You might not be able to take the medicine again until you start moving around again. Tell any doctor or therapist who is treating you that you take raloxifene.
Raloxifene is just one part of a full treatment plan that may also include making changes to your food, working out, getting your bone mineral density checked, and taking calcium and vitamin D pills. Very carefully do what your doctor tells you to do.
Your doctor should check on you often to see how things are going. Check your breasts for lumps once a month, and get scans regularly.
Keep at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.
What will happen if I don’t take a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the dose you missed if your next dose is almost due. Take only one amount at a time.
Get a replacement on your medication before you run out of all of your medicine.
What happens if I overdose?
Get help from a doctor right away or call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the Poison Help line.
What should I stay away from while I’m on raloxifene?
If your doctor has told you to take calcium supplements, don’t take more than he or she has told you to. Taking more calcium than is recommended won’t give your bones more protection, and it could lead to dangerous side effects like kidney stones.
If you are taking raloxifene, don’t sit still for long amounts of time when you are traveling.
Raloxifene side effects
If you have rashes, trouble breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat, you may be having an allergic response.
Raloxifene could have bad side effects. Stop taking raloxifene right away and call your doctor if you:
• breast changes like swelling, pain, or other changes;
• signs of a stroke, such as quick numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, or trouble seeing;
• chest pain, trouble breathing, or throwing up blood are signs of a blood clot in the lung; or
• Swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg are signs of a blood clot deep in the body.
Some of the most common side effects of raloxifene are:
• hot flashes;
• leg cramps;
• swollen fingers, toes, or legs;
• joint pain;
• flu symptoms; or
• a lot more sweating.
This isn’t a full list of all possible side effects, and there may be others. You should talk to your doctor about any side effects. You can call 1-800-FDA-1088 to tell the FDA about side affects.
How much raloxifene to take
The usual dose for osteoporosis in adults is:
60 mg by mouth every day
Comments:
-To treat or avoid osteoporosis, tell people to take extra calcium and/or vitamin D if they don’t get enough from their daily diet.
When this drug is used to lower the chance of breast cancer that spreads, no one knows how long treatment should last.
Uses:
-How to treat and avoid osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause.
-Reduced risk of invasive breast cancer in elderly women with osteoporosis or a high risk of invasive breast cancer.
The usual dose for adults to prevent osteoporosis is:
60 mg by mouth every day
Comments:
-To treat or avoid osteoporosis, tell people to take extra calcium and/or vitamin D if they don’t get enough from their daily diet.
When this drug is used to lower the chance of breast cancer that spreads, no one knows how long treatment should last.
Uses:
-How to treat and avoid osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause.
-Reduced risk of invasive breast cancer in elderly women with osteoporosis or a high risk of invasive breast cancer.
Normal dose for adults to prevent breast cancer:
60 mg by mouth every day
Comments:
-To treat or avoid osteoporosis, tell people to take extra calcium and/or vitamin D if they don’t get enough from their daily diet.
When this drug is used to lower the chance of breast cancer that spreads, no one knows how long treatment should last.
Uses:
-How to treat and avoid osteoporosis in women who have gone through menopause.
-Reduced risk of invasive breast cancer in elderly women with osteoporosis or a high risk of invasive breast cancer.
What effects will other drugs have on raloxifene?
Tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking, especially:
• cholestyramine;
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• birth control pills or treatment to change hormones.
This list doesn’t have everything. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal items, may interact with raloxifene. Not every drug combination that could happen is on this list.
For more details
Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of reach of children, to never give your medicines to other people, and to only use this medicine for what it was given for.
Talk to your doctor or other healthcare source to make sure that the information on this page applies to your situation.
Copyright from 1996 to 2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.02.
