Raloxifene

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (ral ox' i feen)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis (condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily) in women who have undergone menopause (change of life; end of menstrual periods). Raloxifene is also used to decrease the risk of developing invasive breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread outside of the milk ducts or lobules into the surrounding breast tissue) in women who are at high risk of developing this type of cancer or who have osteoporosis. Raloxifene cannot be used to treat invasive breast cancer or to prevent invasive breast cancer from coming back in women who have already had the condition. Raloxifene also cannot be used to decrease the risk of developing non-invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene is in a class of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Raloxifene prevents and treats osteoporosis by mimicking the effects of estrogen (a female hormone produced by the body) to increase the density (thickness) of bone. Raloxifene decreases the risk of developing invasive breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen on breast tissue. This may stop the development of tumors that need estrogen to grow.


How should this medicine be used?

Raloxifene comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take raloxifene at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take raloxifene exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Continue to take raloxifene even if you feel well. Do not stop taking raloxifene without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking raloxifene,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to raloxifene or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cholestyramine (Questran), colestipol (Colestid), diazepam (Valium), diazoxide (Proglycem), medications that contain estrogen such as hormone replacement therapy (ERT or HRT), and lidocaine (Lidoderm, Xylocaine). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have any type of cancer and if you have or have ever had breast lumps or breast cancer; heart failure; kidney disease; or liver disease. If you have ever taken estrogen, tell your doctor if your triglycerides increased during your treatment.
  • you should not use raloxifene unless you have already undergone menopause and cannot become pregnant. However, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking raloxifene, call your doctor immediately. Raloxifene may harm the fetus.
  • you should know that raloxifene has not been found to cause spotting or menstrual-like bleeding nor to increase the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus. Tell your doctor if you develop vaginal bleeding or spotting. Your doctor will need to examine you or order tests to find the cause of the bleeding.
  • you should know that although raloxifene decreases the chance that you will develop invasive breast cancer, there is still a risk that you will develop this condition. You will still need regularly scheduled breast exams and mammograms before you start taking raloxifene and during your treatment with raloxifene. Call your doctor if you notice tenderness, enlargement, lumps, or any other changes in your breasts.
  • if you are taking raloxifene to treat osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about other things you can do to prevent osteoporosis from developing or worsening. Your doctor will probably tell you to avoid smoking and drinking large amounts of alcohol and to follow a regular program of weight-bearing exercise.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Raloxifene may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • hot flashes (more common in the first 6 months of raloxifene therapy)
  • leg cramps
  • swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • flu-like syndrome
  • joint pain
  • sweating
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately.

Raloxifene may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms while you are taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Estrogen Antagonists
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Antihypocalcemic Agents
  • Sex Hormones and Modulators of the Genital System
  • Genito Urinary System and Sex Hormones
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inhibitors
  • CYP2B6 Inhibitors (strong)
  • CYP3A4 In
Prescribed For the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, as well as prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced bone loss....
Weight :473.583
Structure Raloxifene
Generic Drug Raloxifene prescribed For the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women, as well as prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced bone loss....
Formula

C28H27NO4S

Raloxifene has 23 Brands listed


Bonmax (60 mg)Bontact (60 mg)
Donmax (60 mg)Esserm (60 mg)
Estoral (60 mg)Estroact (60 mg)
Evomate (60 mg)Femoral (60 mg)
Fiona (60 mg)Gynista (60 mg)
Osral (60 mg)Poroxi (60 mg)
Ralista (60 mg)Ralocium (60 mg)
Ralofen FC (60 mg)Ralosto (60 mg)
Ralotab (60 mg)Ralox (60 mg)
Raloxifene (60 mg)Relfen (60 mg)
Ronal (60 mg)Ruftuf (60 mg)
Sermifen (60 mg)

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