Raloxifene Hydrochloride is used for the treatment of bone loss called osteoporosis after menopause. Osteoporosis affects men and women of all races. This means porous bone in which the density and quality of bone are reduced. As bones become more porous and fragile, the risk of fracture is greatly increased. Our bones are living tissue and constantly changing. From the moment of birth until young adulthood, bones are developing and strengthening.
The loss of bone occurs silently and progressively. There typically are no symptoms in the early stages of bone loss. But once your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis, you might have signs and symptoms such as:
- Loss of height over time
- Back pain that is caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra
- A bone that breaks much more easily than expected
- A stooped posture
How likely you are to develop osteoporosis depends partly on how much bone mass you attained in your youth.
Menopause happens when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. This is a natural part of aging that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age as a woman’s estrogen levels decline. Some common signs and symptoms hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, night sweats, and loss of breast fullness.
Raloxifene Hydrochloride is in the class of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). This imitates the effects of estrogen to increase the density of bone. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this medication. This product is supplied as a tablet for oral use. Each tablet is available in the dosage form of 60 mg.
How does Raloxifene Hydrochloride work?
Estrogen is the main female sex hormone. It has many actions throughout the body. Bone tissue, cholesterol metabolism, breast tissue, and uterine tissue are all affected by this hormone. Blood levels start to lessen at the menopause. This also affects the tissues that are normally responsive to estrogen.
Raloxifene Hydrochloride is used to both prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. This acts on estrogen receptors in the bone tissue where it mimics the natural effects of estrogen. This slowly reverses the excessive breakdown of bone that happens at menopause and causes an increase in bone mineral density. Wherein, it makes the bones stronger. This medication has been shown to significantly lessen the risk of spinal fractures but not hip fractures.
How to use Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
Raloxifene Hydrochloride is to be taken by mouth usually once a day. You may take each tablet with or without a meal. Each tablet will be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablet as a whole. Do not break, chew, or crush it. Drink plenty of fluids while having this treatment. Doing so may lessen the risk of certain side effects. Remember to take it at the same time and in the same way each day. If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. Let your doctor know if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
The prescribed dosage for this medication is based on your medical condition, age, and response to it. You must take the right dose, not more or less. You should not stop taking this medication quickly without the consent of your doctor. Your doctor may give you a lower dose to start and eventually increase it. It may cause another complication or may worsen your current condition. For the best benefit from this product, take it regularly.
What are the side effects of Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
Common side effects:
- Increased sweating
- Hot flashes
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Leg cramps or leg pain
- Spinning sensation
- Nausea
- Joint pain
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Infrequently cause stroke or serious blood clots to form in the legs, lungs, or eyes
Serious side effects:
- Trouble breathing
- Leg swelling or pain
- Sudden vision changes
- Chest pain
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Severe headache
- Confusion
Call for emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction:
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat
- Hives
- Trouble and difficulty breathing
Warnings and Precautions
- Before having this treatment, tell your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to this drug. This product may contain an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
- This drug may increase the risk of blood clots forming in the veins. The risk is higher if you have existing risk factors and need to be weighed against the personal benefits to you of taking this drug. Discuss it with your doctor before having this treatment.
- While taking this medicine, the risk of a blood clot forming in the veins may be temporarily increased.
- If you suffer an illness or condition that results in you becoming immobile for a prolonged, you should stop taking this medicine as soon as possible.
- If you experience any vaginal bleeding while having Raloxifene Hydrochloride, you should consult your doctor.
- This prescription is not recommended for use in pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
- Keep this far from moisture and heat as well as far from the reach of children.
Use this product with caution in:
- Women with a history or risk of stroke or mini-stroke
- Irregular heartbeat caused by a very rapid contraction of the top two chambers of the heart
- Breast cancer
- Women at risk of developing blood clots in the veins
- Women who have had raised levels of a fat called triglycerides in their blood as a result of taking oral estrogen-based medicine
This should not be used in:
- Women with signs or symptoms of cancer of the lining of the womb
- Severely decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
- Vaginal bleeding of unknown cause
- Failure of the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestines
- Rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance
