EVISTA
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUBSTITUTE
FOR, THE EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT OF YOUR PHYSICIAN, PHARMACIST OR
OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
INDICATE THAT USE OF THE DRUG IS SAFE, APPROPRIATE, OR EFFECTIVE FOR
YOU. CONSULT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING EVISTA.
RALOXIFENE - ORAL (ra-LOX-ih-feen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S):
Evista
USES:
EVISTA is used after menopause to prevent bone weakening
(osteoporosis).
HOW TO USE EVISTA:
Take EVISTA by mouth, generally one tablet (60mg) daily with or
without food. Calcium supplements and vitamin D are recommended if
daily intake is not adequate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Hot flashes, stomach upset, trouble sleeping or sweating may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Report promptly muscle aches or nasal stuffiness/pain. Unlikely but
report promptly persistent fever, rash, breast pain, abnormal
vaginal bleeding or discomfort, or chest pain. Very unlikely but
report promptly leg cramps/pain/swelling, trouble breathing or
vision changes. If you notice other effects not listed above,
contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS:
Before using EVISTA, tell your doctor your medical history,
including any allergies (especially drug allergies), blood clots,
heart failure, cancer or liver disease. If your cholesterol levels
have ever increased because you took estrogens, inform your doctor.
EVISTA should be stopped at least 3 days before and during long
periods of inactivity (e.g., bed rest). Blood clots, though
unlikely, are more common when not moving. Avoid long periods of
sitting or lying down during travel. EVISTA should not be used
during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be
pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. It is not known if EVISTA
is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to the
infant, breast-feeding while using EVISTA is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. EVISTA should not be used
in children.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication
you may use, especially bile-acid resin drugs (such as
cholestyramine), warfarin, clofibrate, diazepam, diazoxide, or
estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogens). EVISTA may alter certain
laboratory tests, including cholesterol, thyroid, corticosteroid or
other hormone tests. Do not start or stop any medicine without
doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center
or emergency room immediately.
NOTES:
Do not share EVISTA with others. Smoking, alcohol use and lack of
exercise have been linked to bone loss. Discuss these risk factors
with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near
the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your
usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to
catch up.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C)
away from light and moisture.
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