Raloxifene (Evista) Uses

Raloxifene is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (women with osteoporosis who have stopped getting their monthly period after going through the change of life). Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is loss of bone strength and weakened bones that break easily, resulting in an increased risk of bone fractures. 

Raloxifene is also FDA-approved to lower the risk of invasive breast cancer (breast cancer that spreads outside the milk ducts or breast lobules) in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of this type of cancer. However, this drug cannot be used to treat invasive breast cancer or prevent recurrence in women who have already had invasive breast cancer. Raloxifene does not lower the risk of non-invasive breast cancer.

Note: Raloxifene should not be used in premenopausal women (women who still get a monthly period). 

There may be other uses of raloxifene—your doctor or pharmacist can give you further drug information.

Raloxifene (Evista) Mechanism of Action

Raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist. Its estrogen agonist action prevents and treats osteoporosis by mimicking the effects of the female sex hormone estrogen, which increases bone formation and decreases bone loss. Its estrogen-antagonist action helps to lower the risk of invasive breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen on breast tissue and preventing the growth of tumors that need estrogen to grow.

Raloxifene (Evista) Doses

Raloxifene comes as a 60-mg tablet to take by mouth once daily.