Evista
Chemical name: Evista
Brand name: Raloxifene
Class: SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) hormonal therapy. Tamoxifen and Fareston are other SERMs.
How it works: SERMs block the effects of estrogen in the breast tissue by attaching to the estrogen receptors in breast cells.
Uses: Evista typically is used to:
- lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis but who haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer
- lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer
Evista isn't used to treat breast cancer or to reduce the risk of it coming back.
How it's given: Evista is taken orally as a pill.
Additional information: Unlike tamoxifen, Evista isn't affected by the CYP2D6 enzyme. So it may be a good risk-reduction option for postmenopausal women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer who have an abnormal version of the CYP2D6 enzyme or are taking another medicine that blocks CYP2D6 activity.
Side effects:
- hot flashes
- irregular periods
- vaginal discharge or bleeding
- mood swings
- depression
- trouble sleeping
- weight gain
- joint pain
- blood clots
Learn more about Evista.
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