IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
(ra-LOX-ih-feen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Evista
USES: This medication is used after menopause to prevent bone weakening (osteoporosis). This drug is different from hormones (including estrogens and progestins).
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, generally one tablet (60mg) daily with or without food. Calcium supplements and vitamin D are recommended if daily intake is not adequate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Hot flashes, stomach upset, trouble sleeping or sweating may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: muscle aches, nasal stuffiness/pain. Unlikely but report promptly: persistent fever, rash, breast pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding or discomfort, chest pain. Very unlikely but report promptly: leg cramps/pain/swelling, trouble breathing, vision changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies (especially drug allergies), blood clots, heart failure, cancer, liver disease. If your cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels have ever increased because you took estrogens, inform your doctor. This drug should be stopped at least 3 days before and during long periods of inactivity (e.g., bed rest). Blood clots, though unlikely, are more common when not moving. Avoid long periods of sitting or lying down during travel. This drug should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. This drug should not be used in children.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of: bile-acid resin drugs (such as cholestyramine), warfarin, clofibrate, diazepam, diazoxide, estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogens). This drug may alter certain laboratory tests, including cholesterol, thyroid, corticosteroid or other hormone tests. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Smoking, alcohol use and lack of exercise have been linked to bone loss. Discuss these risk factors with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Developed by First DataBank, Inc., San Bruno, CA
Copyright 2004 by First DataBank, Inc.