raloxifene hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM)
Licensed use
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
Fracture evidence
Reduces vertebral fractures; reduction in hip fractures has not been demonstrated
Food
May be taken with or without food
Important risk
Can increase the risk of venous blood clots
What is raloxifene hydrochloride used for?
Uses include:
Licensed: prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Non-licensed specialist context: reducing breast-cancer risk in some postmenopausal women at increased risk. This is not a licensed indication for the selected product and requires specialist assessment.
How does raloxifene hydrochloride work?
Raloxifene binds to oestrogen receptors but acts differently in different tissues. In bone, it produces oestrogen-like effects that reduce bone breakdown and help preserve bone density. It does not stimulate uterine or breast tissue in the same way as oestrogen.
raloxifene hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 60 mg
How to take raloxifene hydrochloride
Take raloxifene exactly as prescribed.
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole, with water if preferred.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not break or crush the tablet, as this may affect the amount taken and cause an unpleasant taste.
Ask the prescriber whether calcium or vitamin D supplementation is appropriate if dietary intake is low.
raloxifene hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Hot flushes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or indigestion
- Headache or migraine
- Leg cramps
- Swelling of the hands, feet or legs
- Rash
- Breast pain, enlargement or tenderness
- Increased blood pressure
Get urgent medical advice
- Venous blood clot: one-sided leg pain, warmth, redness or swelling
- Pulmonary embolism: chest pain, breathlessness or coughing blood
- Retinal vein clot: sudden blurred, patchy or lost vision
- Arterial clot or stroke symptoms: sudden weakness, numbness, speech difficulty or paralysis
- Severe allergic reaction with wheezing, breathing difficulty or facial swelling
raloxifene hydrochloride in pregnancy
Raloxifene is intended only for postmenopausal women and is contraindicated in women who could become pregnant because it may harm the fetus. Accidental exposure during pregnancy requires prompt advice from the prescriber.
raloxifene hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Raloxifene is not recommended while breastfeeding. It is unknown whether raloxifene or its metabolites enter human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded.
raloxifene hydrochloride interactions
Important interactions include:
Cholestyramine and other anion-exchange resins
These substantially reduce raloxifene absorption and should not be co-administered.
Warfarin and other coumarin anticoagulants
Raloxifene may alter prothrombin time, so anticoagulation monitoring is required when used together.
Systemic oestrogens
Combined use is not recommended because safety information is limited.
Common questions about raloxifene hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is raloxifene hydrochloride the same as hormone replacement therapy?
No. It is a SERM that produces selected oestrogen-like effects, particularly in bone. It does not replace oestrogen and does not treat hot flushes or other menopausal symptoms.
Which fractures does raloxifene hydrochloride help prevent?
Evidence supports a reduction in vertebral fractures. A reduction in hip or other non-vertebral fractures has not been demonstrated.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.