RALOXIFENE (ORAL)

(ra LOX i feen) Brand: Evista

What is the most significant information I must know about raloxifene?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to raloxifene, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have ever had a blood clot.

• Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, raloxifene can reason birth defects and must not be used during pregnancy. Speak your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

• Till taking raloxifene, speak your doctor if you smoke or if you have coronary artery malady, heart malady, tall blood pressure, liver or kidney malady, a history of stroke or TIA, tall triglycerides, if you have not gone through menopause, or if you have had breast cancer in the past.

• If you need to have any type of surgery or will be on bed rest, you will need to stop taking raloxifene for at least 72 hours till your surgery or till you plan to be immobile. Any doctor or surgeon who treats you must know that you are taking raloxifene.

• Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel while you are taking raloxifene.

What is raloxifene?

• Raloxifene affects the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body, and reduces loss of bone tissue.

• Raloxifene is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are otherwise at risk of invasive breast cancer.

• Raloxifene may also be used for another purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking raloxifene?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to raloxifene, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, or if you have ever had a blood clot.

• Till taking this medicine, speak your doctor if you smoke or if you have:

· coronary artery malady (atherosclerosis);

· heart disease;

· tall blood pressure;

· liver or kidney disease;

· a history of stroke or TIA ("mini-stroke");

· tall triglycerides (often occurs with tall cholesterol);

· if you have not gone through menopause; or

· if you have had breast cancer in the past.

• If you have any of these conditions, you may need a doze adjustment or particular trials to safely take raloxifene.

• FDA pregnancy category X. Although it is not likely that a postmenopausal woman would be pregnant, raloxifene can reason birth defects and must not be used during pregnancy. Speak your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

• It is not known whether raloxifene passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take raloxifene?

• Take this medicine exactly as predesigned by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Raloxifene can be taken with or without food.

• You may take raloxifene at any time of the day, but try to take it at the same time every day.

• If your raloxifene tablets are packaged on blister cards, take the medicine as follows:

· Every blister card contains 15 tablets labeled with a various day of the week. The first tablet you use must be labeled with the day of the week your doctor has instructed you to start taking raloxifene.

· If you have refilled your prescription and are starting a new blister pack, take the tablet that is labeled one day after you took your recent dose.

· Hold taking the medicine one tablet for day, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

· Try to take the medicine at the same time every day.

· The tablet in the center of the blister card must be the recent tablet you take till starting a new card.

• Raloxifene is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, exercice, calcium or vitamin D supplements, and weight control. Follow your diet, medicine, and exercice routines very closely.

• Store raloxifene at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your following doze, wait before then to take the medication and skip the missed doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine.

• Overdose symptoms may include leg cramps and dizziness.

What must I avoid while taking raloxifene?

• If you take calcium supplements, do not take more than your doctor has predesigned. Taking more calcium than recommended will not provide extra protection for your bones, and may reason serious side effects including kidney stones.

• Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel while you are taking raloxifene.

What are the possible side effects of raloxifene?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

· sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

· sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

· chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, quick heart rate;

· pain or swelling in one or both legs;

· swelling in your hands or feet;

· fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;

· unusual vaginal bleeding;

· breast pain, tenderness, or lump;

· pain or burning when you urinate; or

· severe pain in your lower back.

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· hot flashes;

· headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;

· leg pain;

· joint pain;

· heighten sweating;

· nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or

· runny or stuffy nose.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Speak your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect raloxifene?

• Till taking raloxifene, conversation to your doctor if you are taking any of the next medicines:

· cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);

· a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or

· diazepam (Valium);

· diazoxide (Proglycem); or

· birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

• This list is not complete and there may be another drugs that can interact with raloxifene. Speak your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about raloxifene.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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