What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Blood clots
-Cancer
-Heart disease or recent heart attack
-High cholesterol or triglycerides
-History of stroke
-Kidney disease
-Liver disease
-Premenopausal
-Tobacco use
-An unusual or allergic reaction to raloxifene, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
-Cholestyramine
-Estrogen or progestin hormones
-Warfarin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking this medication except on the advice of your care team.
If you are taking this medication to reduce your risk of getting breast cancer, you should know that this medication does not prevent all types of breast cancer. Talk to your care team if you have questions.
This medication does not prevent hot flashes. It may cause hot flashes in some patients at the start of therapy.
You should make sure that you get enough calcium and vitamin D while you are taking this medication. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your care team.
Exercise may help to prevent bone loss. Discuss your exercise needs with your care team.
This medication can rarely cause blood clots. If you are going to have surgery, tell your care team that you are taking this medication. This medication should be stopped at least 3 days before surgery. After surgery, it should be restarted only after you are walking again. It should not be restarted while you still need long periods of bed rest.
You should not smoke while taking this medication. Smoking may increase your risk of blood clots or stroke.
Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
Talk to your care team before breastfeeding. Changes to your treatment plan may be needed.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medicine increases the risk of blood clots.
This medicine can increase the risk of having a stroke.