Raloxifene

Raloxifene

(ral OKS i feen)

Evista

This drug may raise the chance of blood clots. Do not take this drug if you have a blood clot or have had blood clots in the past. Talk with your doctor. This drug may raise the chance of dying from stroke in women who have heart disease or are at risk for heart disease. Talk with your doctor.

It is used to put off soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis) in women after change of life. It is used to treat soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis) in women who have been through menopause (change of life). It is used to help prevent breast cancer in women after the change of life who have soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis) or those with more of a chance of getting breast cancer. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you are taking any of these drugs: Cholestyramine, colestipol, or estrogen. If you have not been through menopause or you are still able to have a baby. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant. Do not take this drug if you are pregnant. If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. If you are a man. This drug is not approved for use in men. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. This drug may need to be stopped before certain types of surgery as your doctor has told you. If this drug is stopped, your doctor will tell you when to start taking this drug again after your surgery or procedure. Be sure to have regular breast exams. Your doctor will tell you how often to have these. You will also need to do breast self-exams as your doctor has told you. Talk with your doctor. High triglyceride levels have happened with this drug. Tell your doctor if you have ever had high triglyceride levels. Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor. Have a bone density test as you have been told by your doctor. Talk with your doctor. Limit your drinking of alcohol. If you smoke, talk with your doctor. Talk with your doctor if you will need to be still for long periods of time like long trips, bedrest after surgery, or illness. Not moving for long periods may raise your chance of blood clots. If you are traveling, do not stay still for long periods of time. Get up and move around as much as you can. This drug works best when used with calcium/vitamin D and weight-bearing workouts like walking or PT (physical therapy). Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about. This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect: Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat. Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight. Change in eyesight. A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge. Enlarged breasts. Vaginal bleeding that is not normal. Swelling in the arms or legs. Low mood (depression). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of a blood clot like chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; swelling, warmth, numbness, change of color, or pain in a leg or arm; or trouble speaking or swallowing.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Hot flashes. Leg cramps. Flu-like signs. Sweating a lot. Headache. Upset stomach. Stomach pain or diarrhea. Muscle or joint pain. Trouble sleeping. Weight gain. Signs of a common cold. These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. Take with or without food. Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom. Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets. Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.