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Overview: Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat bone loss and weak bones. It is also used to lower your risk of developing invasive breast cancer. It blocks estrogen activity in the breasts and acts like estrogen in bones. The most common side effects are hot flashes, leg cramps, fluid retention, and joint pain. Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have had a blood clot or heart attack.

Uses

What is raloxifene used for?

Raloxifene is commonly used after menopause to reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer and to prevent and treat bone loss and weak bones (osteoporosis).

Raloxifene may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does raloxifene work (mechanism of action)?

Raloxifene acts like estrogen (female hormone) in some tissues and blocks estrogen activity in other tissues. It binds to estrogen receptors and acts like estrogen in bones, decreasing bone breakdown and bone turnover and increasing bone density. It binds to estrogen receptors and blocks estrogen activity in breasts, reducing growth of breast tissue that needs estrogen to grow. 

How is raloxifene supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Evista

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 60 mg oral tablets

How should I store raloxifene?

Raloxifene should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of raloxifene?

The most common side effects of raloxifene are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Hot flashes
  • Leg cramps
  • Fluid retention
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Joint pain
  • Sweating

There may be other side effects of raloxifene that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of raloxifene?

While less common, the most serious side effects of raloxifene are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Raloxifene may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking raloxifene and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Gallbladder Problems. Taking raloxifene can cause gallbladder problems, including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (also known as gallstones). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
  • Fever
  • Pain in your upper stomach area
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored

Blood Clots. Raloxifene may cause blood clots in your arteries or veins and could cause a stroke, heart attack, or venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or a blood clot in a vein in the back of your eye (retinal vein occlusion). Stop taking raloxifene and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots. 

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
  • Vision loss
  • Bulging eyes 
  • Double vision

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use raloxifene?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take raloxifene.

  • Evista
  • Raloxifene
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific raloxifene products they stock.

Blood Clots. People with or with a history of blood clots in your veins (including your retinal vein) or lungs should not take raloxifene.

Pregnancy. Do not take raloxifene if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.

What should I know about raloxifene before using it?

Do not take raloxifene unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share raloxifene with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep raloxifene out of the reach of children.

Take raloxifene around the same time each day. 

You should perform monthly self-breast exams and have regular breast exams (done by a healthcare provider) and mammograms (x-ray to look closely at breast tissue) before taking raloxifene and during treatment with it.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using raloxifene?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking. This will help them determine if raloxifene is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Upcoming Surgery or Bed Rest. You may be at increased risk for some side effects of raloxifene if you do not move around normally for an extended period of time. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any upcoming surgeries or need to be on bed rest. Your healthcare provider can tell you if or when you need to stop and restart raloxifene.

High Triglycerides with Estrogen. Tell your healthcare provider if you took estrogen in the past and had very high triglyceride levels when you took it. Your healthcare provider may choose a different medicine for you.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Raloxifene may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking raloxifene, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Do not take raloxifene and tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Raloxifene may cause harm to an unborn baby. 

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed raloxifene. It is not known if raloxifene passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop raloxifene.

Interactions

Does raloxifene interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between raloxifene and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect raloxifene. However, the risk of hot flashes may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking raloxifene because alcohol can trigger hot flashes. Your healthcare provider may advise you to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is a risk factor for osteoporosis and you may be taking raloxifene to treat or reduce your risk of bone loss and weak bones.

Does raloxifene interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following before taking raloxifene.

  • Cholestyramine, which is a medicine to lower cholesterol
  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Estrogen, such as certain birth control pills or estrogen patches, creams, rings, or vaginal suppositories

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of raloxifene, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with raloxifene. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much raloxifene?

If you or someone else has taken too much raloxifene, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of raloxifene?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.