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What is the most important information I should know about
raloxifene?
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Do not take raloxifene if you are pregnant or if you
could become pregnant during treatment. Raloxifene is in the FDA
pregnancy category X. This means that raloxifene is known to cause birth
defects in an unborn baby. |
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Before having any surgery, tell your doctor that you are
taking raloxifene. Treatment with raloxifene may need to be stopped
temporarily if you require an extended period of bed rest. |
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Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel
while taking raloxifene. |
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Seek immediate medical attention if you experience and of
the following side effects that may indicate a blood clot formation:
sharp pain in the legs; swelling of the legs; sudden chest pain;
coughing up blood; or changes in vision. |
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Raloxifene alters the cycle of bone formation and breakdown
in the body. It reduces loss of bone tissue. Although studies are not
complete, raloxifene appears to work without increasing the risk of
breast or uterine cancer. |
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Raloxifene is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis (decreased
density of bone mass) in postmenopausal women. |
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Raloxifene may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
raloxifene?
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Before having any surgery, tell your doctor that you are
taking raloxifene. Treatment with raloxifene may need to be stopped
temporarily if you require an extended period of bed rest. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
a history of |
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increased triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); or |
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You may not be able to take raloxifene, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any
of the conditions listed above. |
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Raloxifene is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means
that raloxifene is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do
not take raloxifene if you are pregnant or if you could become
pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether raloxifene passes into breast milk.
Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you
are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take raloxifene?
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Take raloxifene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Raloxifene can be taken with or without food. |
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Take raloxifene at the same time each day. |
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Your doctor may want you to take calcium and vitamin D
supplements if you do not receive enough of these substances from your
regular diet. |
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Weight-bearing exercise may also be helpful. |
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Store raloxifene at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a raloxifene overdose are not known. |
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What should I avoid while taking raloxifene?
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Before having any surgery, tell your doctor that you are
taking raloxifene. Treatment with raloxifene may need to be stopped
temporarily if you require an extended period of bed rest. |
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Avoid sitting still for long periods of time during travel
while taking raloxifene. |
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Alcohol and cigarette smoking may cause increased bone loss.
Discuss with your doctor the use of these products. |
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What are the possible side effects of raloxifene?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking raloxifene and seek emergency medical attention or notify
your doctor: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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sharp pain in the legs; |
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unexplained vaginal bleeding. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take raloxifene and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect raloxifene?
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Before taking raloxifene, talk to your doctor if you are
taking any of the following medicines: |
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cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite) or colestipol (Colestid); |
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the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin); or |
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an estrogen or progesterone product such as birth control
pills or hormone replacement therapy. |
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You may not be able to take raloxifene, or you may require
special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed above. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with raloxifene.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about raloxifene written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.06. Revision date: 9/
9/ 04. |
