Raloxifene

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM)	Evista, Raloxon

Raloxifene - What is it for

When a woman reaches menopause, the levels of the female sex hormone, estrogen, decreases. The decrease in estrogen may also cause the bones to become thinner, weaker and easier to break, causing a condition called osteoporosis.
Raloxifene belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). Raloxifene is used for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by mimicking some of the helpful effects of estrogen after menopause.

Raloxifene - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Raloxifene cause?

Common side effects include:

Hot flushes

Wear loose fitting clothes or go to areas with air conditioning.

Flu-like symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
Leg cramps
Swelling of hands, feet and legs
Nausea and vomiting

Take the medication after food to reduce these side effects.

Headache

You may take Paracetamol to manage headaches.

Mild breast discomfort such as pain, enlargement and tenderness
Increased blood pressure

Most of the side effects seen with raloxifene have been mild. Inform your doctor if these side effects become severe and bothersome.

This medication may cause blood clots to form. However, this is rare and the doctor would have evaluated and weighed its benefits over risks before prescribing the medication for you.

The symptoms of blood clot include one or more of the following:

Any unusual sudden cough, breathlessness or difficulty in breathing
Severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm
Severe pain in legs or swelling in either of your legs
Weakness or numbness in any part of your body
Change in your speech, including slurring of words
Change in your senses of hearing, smell or taste
Vision changes such as loss of vision/blurred vision

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Raloxifene, what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
You have not been through menopause yet.
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, kidney problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots or cancer.
You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
You are, or know you will be unable to move around for some time, e.g., being wheel-chair bound or having to stay in bed while recovering from an operation or illness as it may increase your risk of blood clots.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Raloxifene?

Some medications might interact with this medication. These include blood thinners such as warfarin, cholesterol medications such as cholestyramine and hormone-replacement therapy (HRT). Check with your healthcare professional if you want to take any other medicines, supplements or herbal products.
If you see another healthcare professional, inform him that you are taking this medication before he prescribes any other medications.

Raloxifene - Dosage and How to Use

How should Raloxifene be used?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
You may take this medication with or without food.
You should take one tablet daily, preferably at the same time every day.
You may take it together with calcium and vitamin D supplements, as prescribed by your doctor.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.