Evista Raloxifene: Drug Usage, Precautions & Interactions to Consider
Osteoporosis or bone loss is quite prevalent among postmenopausal women. Continuous bone erosion will significantly increase the risk of fractures among women. To treat and prevent bone loss, there are a number of effective prescription and generic drugs available both online and offline. Generic Evista (Raloxifene) is one such potent drug used by women to treat osteoporosis after menopause. The drug slows down the process of bone loss, thereby sustaining strong bones and warding off fractures.
Drug Usage
Generic Evista is quite dissimilar from natural hormones such as estrogens and progestins. But, it works in a manner similar to estrogen in some portions of the body. As a selective estrogen receptor modulator or SERM, Raloxifene aids in preserving bone mass and at the same time, does not have an effect on the uterus and breast like estrogen. Generic Evista however provides no relief from the symptoms related to menopause, e.g. hot flashes. Women who are yet to attain the menopause stage should not at all use this medication. Children are also barred from using it.
Users of generic Evista are recommended to take it orally once daily, with or without meals. Follow your physician’s guidelines carefully as far as dosage and administration of Raloxifene is concerned. Proper and regular use of this medication is very essential to obtain utmost benefit from it. Prepare a dosing schedule and stick to it everyday to avoid any missed dose. Make sure that you’re taking sufficient quantities of vitamin D and calcium along with your diet. However, you need to talk to your physician first on this matter. The physician can tell you whether you require any calcium/vitamin D supplements or not. You can get handy information about generic Evista by reading its patient information sheet carefully. Any doubts regarding the drug must be cleared immediately with your healthcare provider.
Precautions
Before using Evista (Raloxifene), you should be fully aware of the precautions associated with it. Let your physician know about your present and past medical conditions. Inform him if you are allergic to Raloxifene or other ingredients of this drug, or if you have other allergies. A present or past history of blood clots must be informed too before taking generic Evista. Other conditions include liver disease, cancer, congestive heart failure, high cholesterol levels in blood, premenopausal, and high levels of triglyceride because of estrogen treatment. It is not advised to take Raloxifene during pregnancy as it may cause damage to an unborn baby. Communicate the message to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near future. Though it is not confirmed whether Evista passes into breast milk, breastfeeding during the treatment is usually not recommended. However, ask your doctor before nursing your baby.
Drug Interactions
It is your duty to inform your doctor about all the prescription or non-prescription drugs you’re presently taking or have taken in the past as generic Evista may interact with certain drugs. These include cholestyramine (or other anion-exchange resins), estrogens, lidocaine, warfarin, diazepam, or diazoxide. Take the approval of your physician or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medication.