What is raloxifene?
Raloxifene affects the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body, and reduces loss of bone tissue.
Raloxifene is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are otherwise at risk of invasive breast cancer.
Raloxifene may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to raloxifene, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have ever had a blood clot.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have:
- coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis);
- heart disease;
- high blood pressure;
- liver or kidney disease;
- a history of stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke");
- high triglycerides (often occurs with high cholesterol);
- if you have not gone through menopause; or
- if you have had breast cancer in the past.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take raloxifene.
FDA pregnancy category X. Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, raloxifene can cause birth defects and should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether raloxifene passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
If you take calcium supplements, do not take more than your doctor has prescribed. Taking more calcium than recommended will not provide extra protection for your bones, and may cause serious side effects including kidney stones.
Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel while you are taking raloxifene.
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Instructions
Seek medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include leg cramps and dizziness.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
- sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
- chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;
- pain or swelling in one or both legs;
- swelling in your hands or feet;
- fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
- unusual vaginal bleeding;
- breast pain, tenderness, or lump;
- pain or burning when you urinate; or
- severe pain in your lower back.
Less serious side effects may include:
- hot flashes;
- headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
- leg pain;
- joint pain;
- increased sweating;
- nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or
- runny or stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Before taking raloxifene, talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
- diazepam (Valium);
- diazoxide (Proglycem); or
- birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with raloxifene. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Evista and raloxifene
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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