Daily Medication Pearl: Raloxifene Hydrochloride (Evista)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Evista (raloxifene hydrochloride)

Indication: Raloxifene hydrochloride (Evista) is an estrogen agonist/antagonist indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as well as to lower the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Insight:

• Dosing: 60 mg tablet orally once daily.
• Dosage forms: Tablets (not scored) 60 mg.
• Adverse events:Adverse reactions (>2% and more common than with placebo) include hot flashes, leg cramps, peripheral edema, flu syndrome, arthralgia, and sweating.
• Mechanism of action: Raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The biological actions of raloxifene are largely mediated through binding to estrogen receptors.

Source: Evista Labeling (fda.gov)