Evista or Raloxifene
Evista or Raloxifene is used to help prevent and treat thinning of the bones
(osteoporosis) only in postmenopausal women.
It works like an estrogen to stop the bone loss that can develop in women after
menopause, but it does not increase the bone density as much as daily 0.625 mg doses of
conjugated estrogens. Evista or Raloxifene will not treat hot flashes of menopause and may
cause hot flashes to occur. Also, Evista or Raloxifene does not stimulate the breast or
uterus as estrogen does.
Evista or Raloxifene lowers the blood concentrations of total and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the bad cholesterols, but it does not increase
concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the good cholesterol, in
your blood.
Precautions concerning Evista or Raloxifene
Before you have any kind of surgery, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are
using this medicine
If you are able to become pregnant, stop using the medicine immediately if you think
you have become pregnant and check with your doctor
Evista or Raloxifene does not act like an estrogen to stimulate the uterus or breast.
If you experience vaginal bleeding, breast pain or enlargement, or swelling of hands or
feet while on Evista or Raloxifene, you should report it to your doctor.
Other ways that may be used with Evista or Raloxifene to help prevent or treat bone
loss are taking calcium plus vitamin D supplements and getting weight-bearing exercise
It is very important that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel
well
Side Effects of Evista or Raloxifene
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not
all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following
side effects occur:
Rare
Coughing blood; headache or migraine headache; loss of or
change in speech, coordination, or vision; pain or numbness in chest, arm, or leg ;
shortness of breath (unexplained)
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bloody or cloudy urine; chest pain; difficult, burning,
or painful urination; fever; frequent urge to urinate; infection,
including body aches or pain, congestion in throat, cough, dryness or soreness of throat,
and loss of voice; runny nose ; leg cramping; skin rash ; swelling
of hands, ankles, or feet; vaginal itching
Less common
Abdominal pain (severe); aching body pains; congestion in
lungs; decreased vision or other changes in vision; diarrhea ;
difficulty in breathing; hoarseness; loss of appetite; nausea;
trouble in swallowing; weakness
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side
effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check
with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Hot flashes, including sudden sweating and feelings of warmth
(especially common during the first 6 months of treatment); increased white vaginal
discharge; joint or muscle pain; mental depression; problems of stomach
or intestines, including passing of gas, upset stomach, or vomiting; swollen joints;
trouble in sleeping; weight gain (unexplained)
Evista or Raloxifene can cause other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Evista or Raloxifene. Make
sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Blood
clot formation, active or history of, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism,
and retinal embolism—Evista or Raloxifene may slightly increase the chances of these
conditions and, if they are already present, cause them to worsen
- Cancer
or tumors or
- Congestive
heart failure or
- Any
other condition that increases the risk of blood clots—Taking Evista or Raloxifene
while having one of these conditions may worsen the chance that blood clots can form
- Liver
disease—This condition may cause higher concentrations of Evista or Raloxifene in the
blood
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