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EVISTA is indicated for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk of invasive breast cancer.

Important limitations of use for breast cancer risk reduction are as follows: There are no data available regarding the effect of EVISTA on invasive breast cancer incidence in women with inherited mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2) to be able to make specific recommendations on the effectiveness of EVISTA. EVISTA is not indicated for the treatment of invasive breast cancer or reduction of the risk of recurrence. EVISTA is not indicated for the reduction in the risk of noninvasive breast cancer.

Please click the button below to enter the EVISTA Web site for healthcare providers. If you would like to visit the EVISTA Web site for consumers, please click here.

Important Safety Information for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCl tablets)

WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND DEATH FROM STROKE
Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported with EVISTA. Women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take EVISTA. Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke.

Contraindications

  • EVISTA is contraindicated in nursing women and in women who are or may become pregnant, as it may cause fetal harm. EVISTA is also contraindicated in women with active or past venous thromboembolic events (VTEs), including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis.

Warnings and Precautions

  • In a study of postmenopausal women at high risk for cardiovascular disease taking EVISTA, there was no increase in the incidence of stroke; however, there was an increase in death due to stroke. EVISTA also did not increase or decrease the incidence of overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or heart attack. The risk-benefit balance should be considered in women at risk for stroke, such as those with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, or cigarette smoking.
  • EVISTA should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment or moderate/ severe renal impairment since safety and efficacy have not been established in these patients.
  • The safety of concomitant use of EVISTA with systemic estrogens has not been established and its use is not recommended.

Adverse Reactions

  • The common adverse reactions considered to be drug related:
  • Adverse reactions occurring in the clinical trials at a frequency ≥2.0% in either group and in more EVISTA-treated women than in placebo-treated women include:
  • The majority of adverse reactions occurring during the osteoporosis prevention and treatment studies were mild and generally did not require discontinuation of therapy.

For additional information, please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide.



EVISTA is a once-daily 60-mg tablet. Supplemental calcium and/or vitamin D should be added to diet if daily intake is inadequate.

EVISTA is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis and for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

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.

Please read the safety information provided on this page. To enter the EVISTA Web site, click the button below.

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. You should only take prescription EVISTA if you are past menopause. Before taking EVISTA, talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions. If you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant, do not take EVISTA, as it may cause fetal harm. 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. 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.

For more safety information, please see the Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information.

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Facts About Osteoporosis

Your bones are living, growing tissue. Your bones provide structural support, protect vital organs, and store the calcium essential for body functions.

Bone Turn-Over Rate
Old bone is routinely "resorbed" or carried away by your body as part of its normal function, while new bone is formed in your skeleton. The relative rate of resorption and new bone formation changes over time. As you go through your childhood and teen years, new bone is added faster than old bone is resorbed, resulting in overall bone growth. Most women acquire a majority of their bone mass by age 18, which peaks by age 30. This is when your bones are most dense and strong.

After age 30 the process very slowly reverses, meaning that more bone is carried away than is formed. This results in overall bone loss. Such bone loss can continue over the years as you age. When bone resorption occurs too quickly or new bone grows too slowly, a person may reach the point of developing osteoporosis. The disease is more likely to develop if you did not acquire the best bone mass during your bone-building years.

Stages of Osteoporosis
Since the hormone estrogen helps protect against bone loss, less estrogen in your body results in more bone loss. That's why the years after menopause — when a woman's ovaries stop producing estrogen — is the time of life when bone loss is most rapid. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone mass in the 5 to 7 years following menopause.

When you reach a point where you have significantly less bone than normal, you have a condition called osteopenia. With further bone loss, your bones may no longer have a normal structure. At this point you would have osteoporosis. As bone mass is increasingly lost, bones become thinner and more fragile, which makes fractures more likely.

When you hear the words "fracture due to osteoporosis," you may think of breaking a major bone, like a hip. The fact is, fractures can occur in almost any bone. Once you have one, your chances of having more fractures greatly increase. Left untreated, these fractures can lead to back pain, loss of height and mobility, and other health problems.

The Truth About Osteoporosis
Many myths and misconceptions surround osteoporosis. Learning the facts can help you take control and effectively prevent and treat this potentially life-threatening disease.

  • "Osteoporosis is a disease, and not a 'natural' consequence of aging."
    • True. Osteoporosis is a disease, and one that can be prevented, diagnosed, and treated.
  • "Osteoporosis is a serious disease."
    • True. As osteoporosis progresses, your bones may become so weak that they are easy to break.
  • "I feel healthy, but I could still be at risk."
  • "Even if I have osteoporosis, there's always something I can do."

Next: Osteoporotic Fracture Risk Factors



Indications for EVISTA® (raloxifene HCl tablets)

EVISTA is indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis and for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

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

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. You should only take prescription EVISTA if you are past menopause. Before taking EVISTA, talk to your doctor about all your medical conditions. If you are pregnant, nursing or may become pregnant, do not take EVISTA, as it may cause fetal harm. 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. 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.

For more safety information, please see the Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information.