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Do More to Stay Healthy: View tips for healthy living past menopause

Once you are past menopause, your doctor may recommend that you be assessed for the presence of osteoporosis and invasive breast cancer. There are different types of screening methods, and your doctor may recommend one or more of these screenings to assess your individual risk of osteoporosis and invasive breast cancer. Because EVISTA does not eliminate the chance of developing breast cancer, these examinations may help find any breast cancer as early as possible.

Invasive Breast Cancer Screening Methods
Osteoporosis Screening Methods

Invasive Breast Cancer Screening Methods
Regular screenings for invasive breast cancer may help detect invasive breast cancer early. They include:

Mammograms
Your doctor may order this low dose x-ray. Depending on your individual risk factors, your doctor may recommend more frequent or additional tests.

Clinical Breast Exams
This is a test your healthcare professional may perform at your regular checkup. He or she may physically and visually examine your breasts for any changes that may suggest further screening.

Breast Self-Exams
Your doctor may recommend breast self-examinations. Contact your doctor or nurse right away if you notice unusual changes, such as:

  • A lump or swelling in the breast, underarm, or nearby
  • Nipple pain or discharge, or a nipple that turns inward into the breast
  • A change in the size or shape of the breast
  • Red, swollen, or scaly skin on the breast or nipple
  • Pain, irritation or other symptoms that don’t go away

Be sure to talk to your doctor to find out about how and when you should be screened for invasive breast cancer.

DXA

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Osteoporosis Screening Methods

DXA
The most common test for osteoporosis is the DXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry), also called a "bone mineral density" test. This is a painless, specialized X-ray.

DXA measures your bone mineral density and compares it with the average score for a 30-year-old healthy adult. Your result, called a "T-score," reflects how far off you are from the bone density of a 30-year-old healthy adult.

Be sure to talk to your doctor to find out what your T-score is, and when and how often you should repeat these tests.

Learn about T-scores and how to get yours

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Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA treats osteoporosis in women past menopause and lowers the chance of getting invasive breast cancer. EVISTA will not totally get rid of your chance of getting breast cancer.

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

EVISTA can be taken with calcium and vitamin D.

Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA treats and prevents osteoporosis in women past menopause.

Indication for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA can be used to lower your chance of getting invasive breast cancer in women past menopause at high risk for invasive breast cancer. EVISTA will not totally get rid of your chance of getting breast cancer. Your doctor can estimate your risk of breast cancer by asking you about risk factors, such as:

  • your age (getting older).
  • family history of breast cancer in your mother, sister, or daughter.
  • a history of any breast biopsy, especially an abnormal biopsy.

You and your doctor should talk about whether the possible benefit of EVISTA in lowering your chance of getting invasive breast cancer is greater than its possible risks.

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

Indications for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCI tablets)
EVISTA is a type of prescription medicine called a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM). EVISTA is for women after menopause, and has more than one use: Osteoporosis: EVISTA treats and prevents osteoporosis by helping make your bones strong and less likely to break. EVISTA can be taken with calcium and vitamin D. Invasive Breast Cancer: If you have osteoporosis or are at high risk for breast cancer, EVISTA can be used to lower your chance of getting invasive breast cancer. EVISTA will not totally get rid of your chance of getting breast cancer. Your doctor can estimate your risk of breast cancer by asking you about risk factors, such as: your age (getting older); family history of breast cancer in your mother, sister, or daughter; a history of any breast biopsy, especially an abnormal biopsy. You and your doctor should talk about whether the possible benefit of EVISTA in lowering your chance of getting invasive breast cancer is greater than its possible risks.

If you already have or have had breast cancer, EVISTA does not treat it or prevent its return, and it does not reduce the risk of all forms of breast cancer.

Important Safety Information About EVISTA® (raloxifene HCl tablets)

You should not take EVISTA if you have had or are at risk for getting blood clots in the legs, lungs or eyes, as it may increase the risk of blood clots. Stop taking EVISTA and call your doctor if you have leg pain or warmth, swelling of the legs, hands or feet, chest pain, shortness of breath or a sudden vision change, as these may be signs of a blood clot. Being unable to move around for long periods may increase this risk. If you will need to be still for a long time, talk to your doctor about ways to reduce the risk of blood clots.

EVISTA does not increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke in women who have had or are at risk for a heart attack; however; EVISTA increases the likelihood of dying from stroke in these women, should one occur. Before taking EVISTA tell your doctor if you have had a stroke, a mini-stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, history of smoking, or believe you have other risk factors for stroke or a heart attack.

EVISTA is not right for everyone. Do not take EVISTA if you:

  • have had blood clots in your legs, lungs or eyes.
  • are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant, as EVISTA may cause fetal harm.

What should I tell my doctor before taking EVISTA?

Talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions including:

  • If you have had blood clots in your legs, lungs or eyes.
  • If you have had a stroke, mini-stroke, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, history of smoking, or think you have other risk factors for stroke or heart attack.
  • EVISTA should not be used for prevention of heart disease.
  • If you are premenopausal. Only take prescription EVISTA if you are past menopause.
  • If you have liver or kidney disease. Women with liver or kidney disease should use EVISTA with caution.
  • EVISTA should not be taken with estrogens in the form of pills, patches or injections.
  • If you have taken estrogen in the past and had a high increase of triglycerides (a kind of fat in the blood).

What are the possible side effects of EVISTA?

  • Side effects may include hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and sweating. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

What are the possible drug interactions with EVISTA?

  • If you take warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) or other coumarin blood thinners, you may need to do a blood test (prothrombin time, pro-time or INR) when you first start or if you need to stop taking EVISTA. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your warfarin or other coumarin blood thinners.
  • EVISTA should not be taken with cholestyramine or estrogens.

See Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Boxed Warning for increased risk of blood clots and death from stroke.

RA ISI CON 28Sept2011