EVISTA® for Treatment of Osteoporosis: Educational Materials

Educational Materials

The educational materials available here for download can help you better understand osteoporosis and how to manage the disease.

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Looking Toward Better Bone Health — A Comprehensive Overview
Knowledge is your first step in taking charge against osteoporosis. This brochure contains all of the resources found in the fact sheets below, including information on osteoporosis, risk assessment, how to build your body and bones, reducing your risk of falls, and eating healthy.

Know More About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a serious disease, and is often "silent" with few warning signs and symptoms. Since you may not even know you have osteoporosis until you break a bone, now is the time to learn more about the disease, and if you are at risk.

Assess Your Risk and Work With Your Doctor
Fill out this handy checklist and take it with you when discussing your health with your healthcare professional. Also provided are questions which can help your healthcare professional assess your risk and determine an appropriate treatment or prevention plan.

Build Your Body and Your Bones
Bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger and denser. Learn more about the importance of a regular exercise program, and the different types of exercise that might be right for you.

Protect Your Bones With Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium is a mineral that promotes good bone health and is particularly important for postmenopausal women who are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Learn more about calcium, and how adequate levels of vitamin D are needed for optimal calcium absorption.

Reduce Your Risk of Falls
Preventing falls is an important part of decreasing your risk of osteoporotic fractures both outside and inside your home. These practices will help reduce your risk of falls wherever you go, and will help you specifically identify potential dangers throughout your house.

Eat Healthy for Stronger Bones
Healthy eating is essential to maintaining strong, healthy bones. A healthy diet is based on choosing a variety of foods from each of the basic food groups and getting the right nutrients. Learn about these groups and how to read nutrition labels here.

Important Safety Information

EVISTA is not for everyone. Serious side effects can occur while taking EVISTA.

EVISTA may cause an increased risk of blood clots. You should not take EVISTA if you have had or are at risk for getting blood clots in the legs, lungs, or eyes. Stop taking EVISTA and call your doctor if you have swelling or feeling of warmth in your legs, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or sudden changes in vision, 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 healthcare professional about ways to reduce the risk of blood clots.

In a study of women past menopause who were at high risk for heart attack, EVISTA increased the risk of dying from a stroke. However, EVISTA did not increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or dying from other causes. Before taking EVISTA, tell your healthcare professional if you have had a stroke, 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.

You should not take EVISTA if you are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant, as it may harm your baby. If you have kidney or liver problems, you should talk to your healthcare professional about these conditions before taking EVISTA. Do not take EVISTA with estrogen in the form of pills, patches, or injections.

The most common side effects are hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and sweating. In clinical trials, side effects were usually mild enough that most women did not stop taking EVISTA.

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, and important information for patients taking EVISTA, see the Medication Guide.