Estrogen is a hormone which among other actions regulates the turnover formation and destruction of bone. Decreases in estrogen levels that are seen after menopause or after removal of the ovaries lead to a loss of bone density and weakened bones, a condition known as ‘Osteoporosis’. Raloxifene decreases bone turnover and increases bone density although not to the same extent as estrogen itself. This makes bones stronger and prevents fractures in women with osteoporosis. Raloxifene is called a selective estrogen receptor modulator, since it has effects like estrogen on some tissues but inhibits the effects of estrogen on other tissues. Raloxifene decreases low density lipoprotein LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood however unlike estrogen, Raloxifene does not increase high density lipoprotein HDL or good cholesterol.

Remember, generic Evista i.e. Raloxifene may increase the risk of serious blood clots and hence avoid taking Evista, if you have a history of serious blood clots. Evista may also increase the risk of death from stroke in those patients that have coronary heart disease or those who are at risk for certain serious heart problems. If you have heart problems or are at risk for a serious heart problem, talk with your doctor to be sure that the benefits of using Evista outweigh the risks.

However, before taking Raloxifene i.e. Evista medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Evista medication. However, Evista may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Evista i.e. Raloxifene medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Generic Raloxifene is generally prescribed once daily. It can be taken with or without meals. Persons with cirrhosis may need lower doses.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

The most common side effects with Raloxifene are hot flashes seen in 1 of every four persons, sinusitis 1 in 10, weight gain 1 in 11, muscle pain 1 in 12, leg cramps 1 in 20 and ankle swelling 1 in 30.

Raloxifene increases the risk of blood clots including deep vein thrombosis i.e. DVT and pulmonary embolism blood clots in the lung. The greatest increase in risk occurs during the first 4 months of use. Patients taking Raloxifene should avoid prolonged periods of restricted movement during travel when blood clots are more prone to occur.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

Cholestyramine Questran reduces the absorption of Raloxifene. Therefore, these two medications should be taken several hours apart. Raloxifene may slightly reduce the ability of blood to clot and thus increase the effects of medications that reduce clotting blood thinners. Therefore, if Raloxifene is given with blood thinners such as warfarin Coumadin, the ability of blood to clot may need to be monitored more closely with frequent measurements of the prothrombin time of blood.

Moreover, Evista i.e. Raloxifene may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Evista medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are taking Evista medication.

However, being immobile for long periods of time while taking this medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. During long periods of travel, get up and move around as often as possible.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

The generic Evista i.e. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator SERM used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in women after menopause. However, these medicines are structurally different from hormones, including estrogens and progestins.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Evista i.e. Raloxifene medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Evista i.e. Raloxifene medication.

Generic Evista i.e. Raloxifene tablets should be stored at room temperature in between 15-59°C 30-86°F in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Evista tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Evista i.e. Raloxifene:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack and strokes or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Evista medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Evista i.e. Raloxifene medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Evista medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Evista medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course.

10. Being immobile for long periods of time while taking this medicine may increase your risk of blood clots. During long periods of travel, get up and move around as often as possible.

11. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Evista.