Raloxifene

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM)	Evista, Raloxon

Raloxifene - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Raloxifene cause?

Common side effects include:

Hot flushes

Wear loose fitting clothes or go to areas with air conditioning.

Flu-like symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose and sore throat
Leg cramps
Swelling of hands, feet and legs
Nausea and vomiting

Take the medication after food to reduce these side effects.

Headache

You may take Paracetamol to manage headaches.

Mild breast discomfort such as pain, enlargement and tenderness
Increased blood pressure

Most of the side effects seen with raloxifene have been mild. Inform your doctor if these side effects become severe and bothersome.

This medication may cause blood clots to form. However, this is rare and the doctor would have evaluated and weighed its benefits over risks before prescribing the medication for you.

The symptoms of blood clot include one or more of the following:

Any unusual sudden cough, breathlessness or difficulty in breathing
Severe pain in the chest which may reach the left arm
Severe pain in legs or swelling in either of your legs
Weakness or numbness in any part of your body
Change in your speech, including slurring of words
Change in your senses of hearing, smell or taste
Vision changes such as loss of vision/blurred vision

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Raloxifene , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
You have not been through menopause yet.
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
You have a history of or current medical conditions such as liver problems, kidney problems, stroke, heart disease, blood clots or cancer.
You have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
You are, or know you will be unable to move around for some time, e.g., being wheel-chair bound or having to stay in bed while recovering from an operation or illness as it may increase your risk of blood clots.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Raloxifene ?

Some medications might interact with this medication. These include blood thinners such as warfarin, cholesterol medications such as cholestyramine and hormone-replacement therapy (HRT). Check with your healthcare professional if you want to take any other medicines, supplements or herbal products.
If you see another healthcare professional, inform him that you are taking this medication before he prescribes any other medications.