Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Estrogen is a hormone which amongother actions, regulates the turnover (formation and destruction) of bone.Decreases in estrogen levels that are seen after menopause or afterremoval of the ovaries, lead to a loss of bone density and weakened bones,a condition called osteoporosis. Raloxifene decreases bone turnover andincreases bone density although not to the same extent as estrogen itself.This makes bones stronger and prevents fractures in women withosteoporosis. Raloxifene is called a "selective estrogen receptormodulator" since it has effects like estrogen on some tissues butinhibits the effects of estrogen on other tissues. Raloxifene decreaseslow density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in the blood;however, unlike estrogen, raloxifene does not increase high densitylipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol.

PREPARATIONS: Tablets, 60mg.

STORAGE: Tablets should be stored between 15°(59°F)and 30°C (86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Raloxifene is prescribed for the prevention and treatment ofosteoporosis in post-menopausal women.

DOSING: Raloxifene generally is prescribed once daily. It canbe taken with or without meals. Persons with cirrhosis may need lowerdoses.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Cholestyramine (Questran) reduces theabsorption of raloxifene. Therefore, these two medications should be takenseveral hours apart. Raloxifene may slightly reduce the ability of bloodto clot and thus increase the effects of medications that reduce clotting(blood thinners). Therefore, if raloxifene is given with blood thinnerssuch as warfarin (Coumadin), the ability of blood to clot may need to bemonitored more closely with frequent measurements of the prothrombin timeof blood.

PREGNANCY: It is not known if raloxifene causes adverse fetaleffects if taken during pregnancy although there is an increased risk offetal abnormalities with the use of estrogens. Therefore, estrogens (andprobably raloxifene) should not be taken during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: Raloxifene should not be used by nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects with raloxifene arehot flashes (seen in 1 of every four persons), sinusitis (1 in 10), weightgain (1 in 11), muscle pain (1 in 12), leg cramps (1 in 20), and ankleswelling (1 in 30).

Raloxifene increases the risk of blood clots, including deep veinthrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lung). Thegreatest increase in risk occurs during the first 4 months of use.Patients taking raloxifene should avoid prolonged periods of restrictedmovement during travel when blood clots are more prone to occur.