Evista

(raloxifene)

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Prevents bone loss and lowers your risk of invasive breast cancer.

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Our bottom line

Evista (raloxifene) helps to reduce bone loss and lower the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, but it can cause blood clots.

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Quick facts about Evista
  • Drug class: Musculoskeletal
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (raloxifene)

Upsides

  • Evista (raloxifene) is a good choice for prevention of bone loss for postmenopausal women. Evista (raloxifene) can also reduce your risk for invasive breast cancer.
  • Unlike bisphosphonates, Evista (raloxifene) is easier on your stomach.
  • Although Evista (raloxifene) acts like estrogen, it doesn't increase the chances of uterine or breast cancer.
  • If you are having hot flashes, Evista (raloxifene) may help relieve them, unlike some alternatives.
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What to expect from Evista, on one page

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Downsides

  • Evista (raloxifene) can cause side effects similar to estrogen such as clots and hot flashes, which doesn't happen with bisphosphonate alternatives like Fosamax (alendronate).
  • Premenopausal women cannot take Evista (raloxifene) for breast cancer prevention.
  • It is not the first choice treatment for osteoporosis unless you cannot take bisphosphonates.
  • Your doctor may ask you to take this medicine for years to prevent bone loss.
  • If you are on a blood-thinner called warfarin, you may need to do a blood test before starting this medicine.
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What to expect from Evista, on one page

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How it works

Evista (raloxifene) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). In the bone, it works like estrogen to prevent bone loss. In the breast, Evista (raloxifene) blocks estrogen from entering cell to prevent cancer.

Quick facts about Evista
  • Drug class: Musculoskeletal
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (raloxifene)

Used for

  • Post-menopausal osteoporosis
  • Breast cancer prevention

Dosage forms

  • Pill
Tried Evista? Write a review!

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What to expect when you take Evista (raloxifene) for Post-menopausal osteoporosis

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  • First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
    Long term
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
    Long term
  • Possible side effects
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headache
  • Stuffy nose
  • Hot flashes
  • Joint pain
  • Difficulty breathing
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Side effect rates for Evista (raloxifene)

From 5133 clinical trials of Evista when taken for post-menopausal osteoporosis (60 mg)
  • Hot flashes
    25%25%
    18%18%
  • Joint pain
    16%16%
    14%14%
  • Flu-like symptoms
    15%15%
    14%14%
  • Joint pain
    11%11%
    10%10%
  • Infection
    11%11%
  • Hot flashes
    10%10%
    6%6%
  • Stuffy nose
    10%10%
    10%10%
  • Difficulty breathing
    10%10%
    9%9%
  • Sinus infection
    10%10%
    7%7%
  • Headache
    9%9%
    9%9%
  • Increased cough
    9%9%
    9%9%
  • Nausea
    9%9%
    9%9%
  • Weight gain
    9%9%
    7%7%
  • Nausea
    8%8%
    8%8%
  • Sinus infection
    8%8%
    8%8%
  • Muscle pain
    8%8%
    6%6%
  • Sore throat
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Leg cramps
    7%7%
    4%4%
  • Diarrhea
    7%7%
    7%7%
  • Stomach pain
    7%7%
  • Leg cramps
    6%6%
    2%2%
  • Indigestion
    6%6%
    6%6%
  • Depression
    6%6%
    6%6%
  • Difficulty sleeping
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Increased cough
    6%6%
    6%6%
  • Rash
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Vaginal bleeding
    6%6%
  • Vomiting
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Swelling
    5%5%
    4%4%
  • Sore throat
    5%5%
    5%5%
  • Fever
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Tendon disorder
    4%4%
    3%3%
  • Vertigo
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Chest pain
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Arthritis
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Bladder infection
    4%4%
    4%4%
  • Breast Pain
    4%4%
  • Sweating
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Uterine disorder
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Vaginal bleeding
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Urinary tract disorder
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Fever
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Vomiting
    3%3%
    3%3%
  • Flatulence
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Stomach and intestinal disorders
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Stomach flu
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Swelling in arms or legs
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Pneumonia
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Sweating
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Vaginal discharge
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Endometrial disorder
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Fainting
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Stabbing nerve pain
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Pink eye
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Migraine
    2%2%
    2%2%
  • Inflamed vocal cords
    2%2%
    1%1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Evista.

Evista (raloxifene)
Placebo

People taking Evista felt side effect more

People taking Evista felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Evista (raloxifene)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › History of blood clots or stroke
    • › History of heart disease
    • › Long-distance travel
    • › Major surgery
    • › Prolonged immobilization
    • › Smoking
    • › Heart failure
    • › High blood pressure

    Evista (raloxifene) can increase your risk of blood clots and stroke, which can be very dangerous. If you currently have or had blood clots in the past, you should not take Evista (raloxifene). If you had a stroke, talk to your doctor if this medicine is right for you. Get medical care right away if you have pain in your legs or arms, bad headaches, trouble breathing, or sudden changes in your speech or vision.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Evista (raloxifene)

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Food
  • Take 1 pill at the same time every day with or without food. Don't double up on pills if you miss a dose.
  • If you are on a blood-thinner called warfarin, you may need to do a blood test before starting this medicine.
Kidneys and liver
  • You may end up with too much Evista (raloxifene) in your body if you have kidney or liver problems, since they play a role in removing this medicine from your body. Use of estrogen with Evista (raloxifene) is also not recommended.