ORIGINAL USES (ON-LABEL)
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
BRAND NAME Evista
DRUG CLASS
Selective estrogen receptor modulator
DESCRIPTION
Evista is used to prevent the bone loss associated with menopause. It is known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The advantage of Evista over other estrogen preparations is that it selective stimulates estrogen receptors exclusively in bone and no other organs such as the breast. Thus, it has little risk of producing unwanted effects in other organs thus has no effect on increasing the incidence of either endometrial or breast carcinoma.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
Abdominal pain, swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention, blood clots in the veins, decreased numbers of platelets in the blood, headache, indigestion, migraine, flu-like symptoms, nausea and vomiting, rash, rise in blood pressure, blood clot in an artery, hot flushes, breast pain, englargement or tenderness, leg cramps
CAUTIONS
Contraindicated with allergy to raloxifene, pregnancy, lactation, active or history of DVT, pulmonary embolism, or retinal vein thrombosis.
Use cautiously with history of smoking, venous thrombosis.
Breast cancer (the manufacturer recommends that this medicine should not be used until any treatment for breast cancer is finished).
PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING CAUTIONS
Pregnancy category X. This drug can cause serious fetal harm and must not be taken during pregnancy.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Contraceptive measures should be used while you are taking this drug. If you become pregnant or would like to become pregnant, consult with your physician immediately.
May be taken without regard to meals.
Engage in weight-bearing exercises, do not smoke or use alcohol excessively.
Report leg pain or swelling, sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, vision changes.
Avoid restrictions of movement during travel. Discontinue if at bed rest.
