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What are the side effects of Evista?

The drug Evista (generic name raloxifene) acts like estrogen in certain places in the body, but is not a hormone. It helps prevent osteoporosis in women who’ve reached menopause. Osteoporosis causes bones to gradually grow thin, fragile, and more likely to break. Evista slows down the loss of bone mass that occurs with menopause, lowering the risk of spine fractures due to osteoporosis.

Evista’s most commonly reported side effects are mild, and include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, or sore throat. Other common side effects are hot flashes (sweating and flushing), joint pain, leg cramps, nausea, and weight gain. Studies have shown that as many as 24 percent of women taking Evista experience hot flashes. This can be uncomfortable for women who already have hot flashes due to menopause. The risk of blood clots is a rare but potentially serious side effect. Women who expect to spend long periods of time in bed, such as after surgery, may need to temporarily stop taking Evista. It’s also recommended that women who take the drug get up and move around every one to two hours during long airplane or car trips to help prevent blood clots.

Women who are pregnant, breast-feeding, or who have a history of blood clots should not take Evista.

Sources:
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Evista product information, Eli Lilly And Company, 2006.
Drug Information Handbook. American Pharmaceutical Association, 1999.
Baker, V.L. “Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators in Reproductive Medicine and Biology”. Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 55 (2000).

This answer prepared 1/18/2001.
This information updated 12/5/2006.