Compare Forteo vs. Evista

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Forteo (Teriparatide)

Prescription only

Evista (Raloxifene)

Prescription only
Prevents bone loss.

Forteo (Teriparatide) is a good second-choice medication to treat bone loss, but it's only available as an injectable.

Prevents bone loss and lowers your risk of breast cancer.

Evista (Raloxifene) is effective at reducing bone loss and lowering the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, but does carry the risk of blood clots.

Upsides
  • If you're unable to use bisphosphonates or are still having fractures despite being on other medications, Forteo (Teriparatide) can be a good alternative.
  • You can start using Forteo (Teriparatide) as soon as you stop using bisphosphonates.
  • Evista (Raloxifene) doesn’t affect the breast or uterus the same way that estrogen does, so the risk of cancer is much lower.
  • Taking Evista (Raloxifene) with calcium and vitamin D improves spine and hip bone health and lowers the risk of fractures.
  • Lowers total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad cholesterol).
Downsides
  • Only available as a brand medication, so it can be expensive.
  • You have to inject this every day, so it may not be a good option if you don't like needles.
  • Shouldn't take this longer than 18 to 24 months since it can increase the risk of bone cancers.
  • Can only take Evista (Raloxifene) once you’re in menopause. You can't take it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Evista (Raloxifene) isn’t as effective as tamoxifen at lowering the risk of invasive breast cancer.
  • Shouldn’t take it with any other forms of estrogen (pills, patches, or injection).
  • It doesn’t increase bone strength as much as estrogen does and isn’t effective for treating hot flashes.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Injection
  • Pill
Price
Lowest price
$3280.18
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Lowest price
$30.80
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Reviews
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Side effects
The Forteo (Teriparatide) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
6possible side effects
  • Any side effect
    25%
  • Peripheral edema
    14%
  • Muscle spasms/leg cramps
    12%
  • Hot Flashes
    8%
  • Cholelithiasis
    3%
  • Venous thromboembolic events
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Malignant tumor of the bone
    • Paget's bone disease
    • Young people with open epiphyses
  • High calcium blood levels
    • Hypercalcemia
    • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Kidney stones
    • History of kidney stones
  • Positional low blood pressure
  • Drug interactions
    • Digoxin use
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Increased risk of stroke
    • History of stroke
    • Heart and blood vessel problems
    • History of mini stroke (TIA)
    • Atrial fibrillation
    • Smoking
    • High blood pressure
  • Increased risk of blood clots
  • Elevated triglycerides (fats in blood)
    • History of high triglycerides
  • Worsening kidney or liver function
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Forteo (Teriparatide)
Learn more about Evista (Raloxifene)