Evista (Raloxifene)

Drug Uses

Evista is a prescription medicine used by women after menopause to treat or prevent a condition called osteoporosis. You should take calcium and vitamin D along with Evista if you do not get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.

How Taken

The recommended dosage is one 60-mg Evista tablet daily, which may be administered any time of day without regard to meals.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have a history of blood clots; stroke; cancer; increased triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); or liver disease. You may not be able to take Evista, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Evista is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that Evista is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not take Evista if you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Evista passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Possible Side Effects

An infrequent but serious side effect of taking Evista is the development of blood clots in the veins. These blood clots can stop blood flow and cause serious medical problems, disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have or have had any of the following signs of blood clots in the legs, lungs or eyes: leg pain or a feeling of warmth in the calves, swelling of the legs, hands or feet, sudden chest pain, shortness of breath or coughing up blood, sudden change in your vision, such as loss of vision or blurred vision. Most of the side effects of Evista are mild and usually do not cause women to stop taking Evista. The most common side effects of Evista are hot flashes and leg cramps. Hot flashes are more common during the first 6 months after starting treatment. If you have any problems or questions that concern you while taking Evista, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature, 20o to 25oC (68o to 77oF); allows excursions between 15o and 30oC (59o and 86oF).

Overdose

Incidents of overdose in humans have not been reported. There is no specific antidote for Evista.

More Information

Before having any surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking Evista. Treatment with Evista may need to be stopped temporarily if you require an extended period of bed rest. Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel while taking Evista. Alcohol and cigarette smoking may cause increased bone loss. Discuss with your doctor the use of these products.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.