Evista
(raloxifene)
Prevents bone loss and lowers your risk of invasive breast cancer.
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.
- Price before coupon$593.26
- Lowest price with coupon$64.2889% savings
- 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
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
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.
- 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
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Pay as low as$60Retail priceRetail priceLearn more
- Get free coupon$64.28
- CostcoGet free coupon$66.77
- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$70.73
What to expect when you take Evista (raloxifene) for Post-menopausal osteoporosis
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonthsLong term
- Possible side effects
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Hot flashes
- Joint pain
- Difficulty breathing
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Evista (raloxifene)
- Hot flashes25%25%18%18%
- Joint pain16%16%14%14%
- Flu-like symptoms15%15%14%14%
- Joint pain11%11%10%10%
- Infection11%11%
- Hot flashes10%10%6%6%
- Stuffy nose10%10%10%10%
- Difficulty breathing10%10%9%9%
- Sinus infection10%10%7%7%
- Headache9%9%9%9%
- Increased cough9%9%9%9%
- Nausea9%9%9%9%
- Weight gain9%9%7%7%
- Nausea8%8%8%8%
- Sinus infection8%8%8%8%
- Muscle pain8%8%6%6%
- Sore throat8%8%7%7%
- Leg cramps7%7%4%4%
- Diarrhea7%7%7%7%
- Stomach pain7%7%
- Leg cramps6%6%2%2%
- Indigestion6%6%6%6%
- Depression6%6%6%6%
- Difficulty sleeping6%6%4%4%
- Increased cough6%6%6%6%
- Rash6%6%4%4%
- Vaginal bleeding6%6%
- Vomiting5%5%4%4%
- Swelling5%5%4%4%
- Sore throat5%5%5%5%
- Fever4%4%4%4%
- Tendon disorder4%4%3%3%
- Vertigo4%4%4%4%
- Chest pain4%4%4%4%
- Arthritis4%4%4%4%
- Bladder infection4%4%4%4%
- Breast Pain4%4%
- Sweating3%3%2%2%
- Uterine disorder3%3%2%2%
- Vaginal bleeding3%3%2%2%
- Urinary tract disorder3%3%2%2%
- Fever3%3%3%3%
- Vomiting3%3%3%3%
- Flatulence3%3%2%2%
- Stomach and intestinal disorders3%3%2%2%
- Stomach flu3%3%2%2%
- Swelling in arms or legs3%3%2%2%
- Pneumonia3%3%2%2%
- Sweating3%3%2%2%
- Vaginal discharge3%3%2%2%
- Endometrial disorder3%3%2%2%
- Fainting2%2%2%2%
- Stabbing nerve pain2%2%2%2%
- Pink eye2%2%2%2%
- Migraine2%2%2%2%
- Inflamed vocal cords2%2%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Evista.
People taking Evista felt side effect more
People taking Evista felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Evista (raloxifene)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- 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.
Common concerns from people taking Evista (raloxifene)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- 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.
- 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.