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Quick facts
- How it is given
- oral
- Type
- human prescription drug
- Brand names
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride
- RxNorm ID
- 1490065
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
Raloxifene hydrochloride tablet, USP is an estrogen agonist/ antagonist indicated for: Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. ( 1.1 ) Reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. ( 1.2 ). Reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer. ( 1.3 ) Important Limitations: Raloxifene hydrochloride is not indicated for the treatment of invasive breast cancer, reduction of the risk of recurrence of breast cancer, or reduction of risk of noninvasive breast cancer. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Treatment and Prevention of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2) ] . 1.2 Reduction in the Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . 1.3 Reduction in the Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women at High Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk of invasive breast cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . The effect in the reduction in the incidence of breast cancer was shown in a study of postmenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer with a 5-year planned duration with a median follow-up of 4.3 years [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . Twenty-seven percent of the participants received drug for 5 years. The long-term effects and the recommended length of treatment are not known. High risk of breast cancer is defined as at least one breast biopsy showing lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia, one or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer, or a 5-year predicted risk of breast cancer ≥1.66% (based on the modified Gail model). […]
About this medicine
Raloxifene hydrochloride, USP is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that belongs to the benzothiophene class of compounds. The chemical structure is: The chemical designation is methanone, [6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzo[b]thien-3-yl]-[4-[2-(1-piperidinyl) ethoxy]phenyl]-, hydrochloride. Raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) has the empirical formula C 28 H 27 NO 4 S•HCl, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 510.05. Raloxifene HCl, USP is an off-white to pale-yellow solid that is very slightly soluble in water. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets, USP are supplied in a tablet dosage form for oral administration. Each raloxifene hydrochloride tablet contains 60 mg of raloxifene HCl, USP which is the molar equivalent of 55.71 mg of free base. Inactive ingredients include mannitol, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, poloxamer 407, magnesium stearate and opadry white (titanium Dioxide, hypromellose 2910 (3cP), hypromellose 2910 (6cP), macrogol/PEG 400 and polysorbate 80). Image
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The biological actions of raloxifene are largely mediated through binding to estrogen receptors. This binding results in activation of estrogenic pathways in some tissues (agonism) and blockade of estrogenic pathways in others (antagonism). The agonistic or antagonistic action of raloxifene depends on the extent of recruitment of coactivators and corepressors to estrogen receptor (ER) target gene promoters. Raloxifene appears to act as an estrogen agonist in bone. It decreases bone resorption and bone turnover, increases bone mineral density (BMD) and decreases fracture incidence. Preclinical data demonstrate that raloxifene is an estrogen antagonist in uterine and breast tissues. These results are consistent with findings in clinical trials, which suggest that raloxifene hydrochloride lacks estrogen-like effects on the uterus and breast tissue.
Who should not take it
Active or past history of venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis. ( 4.1 ) Pregnancy ( 4.2 , 8.1 ) 4.1 Venous Thromboembolism Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. 4.2 Pregnancy Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .
Warnings and cautions
Venous Thromboembolism: Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis. Discontinue use 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization. ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) Death Due to Stroke: Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. No increased risk of stroke was seen in this trial. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke. ( 5.2 , 14.5 ) Cardiovascular Diseas e: Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should not be used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. ( 5.3 , 14.5 ) Premenopausal Women: Use is not recommended. ( 5.4 ) Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution. ( 5.5 ) Concomitant Use with Systemic Estrogens: Not recommended. ( 5.6 ) Hypertriglyceridemia: If previous treatment with estrogen resulted in hypertriglyceridemia, monitor serum triglycerides. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Venous Thromboembolism In clinical trials, raloxifene hydrochloride-treated women had an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). Other venous thromboembolic events also could occur. A less serious event, superficial thrombophlebitis, also has been reported more frequently with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets than with placebo. The greatest risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occurs during the first 4 months of treatment, and the magnitude of risk appears to be similar to the reported risk associated with use of hormone therapy. Because immobilization increases the risk for venous thromboembolic events independent of therapy, raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be discontinued at least 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization (e.g., post-surgical recovery, prolonged bed rest), and raloxifene hydrochloride tablets therapy should be resumed only after the patient is fully ambulatory. In addition, women taking raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be advised to move about periodically during prolonged travel. […]
Reported side effects
Adverse reactions (>2% and more common than with placebo) include: hot flashes, leg cramps, peripheral edema, flu syndrome, arthralgia, sweating.( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Cipla USA, Inc at 1-866-604-3268 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to raloxifene hydrochloride tablets in 8429 patients who were enrolled in placebo-controlled trials, including 6666 exposed for 1 year and 5685 for at least 3 years. Osteoporosis Treatment Clinical Trial (MORE) — The safety of raloxifene in a treatment of osteoporosis was assessed in a large (7705 patients) multinational, placebo-controlled trial. Duration of treatment was 36 months, and 5129 postmenopausal women were exposed to raloxifene hydrochloride (2557 received 60 mg/day, and 2572 received 120 mg/day). The incidence of all-cause mortality was similar among groups: 23 (0.9%) placebo, 13 (0.5%) raloxifene hydrochloride tablets-treated (raloxifene HCl 60 mg), and 28 (1.1%) raloxifene HCl 120 mg women died. Therapy was discontinued due to an adverse reaction in 10.9% of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets-treated women and 8.8% of placebo-treated women. Venous Thromboembolism: The most serious adverse reaction related to raloxifene hydrochloride tablets was VTE (deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis). During an average of study-drug exposure of 2.6 years, VTE occurred in about 1 out of 100 patients treated with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. Twenty-six raloxifene hydrochloride tablets-treated women had a VTE compared to 11 placebo-treated women, the hazard ratio was 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.2, 4.5), and the highest VTE risk was during the initial months of treatment. Common adverse reactions considered to be related to raloxifene hydrochloride tablets therapy were hot flashes and leg cramps. […]
Interactions with other medicines
Cholestyramine: Use with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets is not recommended. Reduces the absorption and enterohepatic cycling of raloxifene. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) Warfarin: Monitor prothrombin time when starting or stopping Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) Highly Protein-Bound Drugs: Use with Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets with caution. Highly protein-bound drugs include diazepam, diazoxide, and lidocaine. Raloxifene hydrochloride is more than 95% bound to plasma proteins. ( 7.3 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Cholestyramine Concomitant administration of cholestyramine with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets is not recommended. Although not specifically studied, it is anticipated that other anion exchange resins would have a similar effect. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should not be co-administered with other anion exchange resins [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.2 Warfarin If raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are given concomitantly with warfarin or other warfarin derivatives, prothrombin time should be monitored more closely when starting or stopping therapy with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.3 Other Highly Protein-Bound Drugs Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution with certain other highly protein-bound drugs such as diazepam, diazoxide, and lidocaine. Although not examined, raloxifene hydrochloride tablets might affect the protein binding of other drugs. Raloxifene is more than 95% bound to plasma proteins [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.4 Systemic Estrogens The safety of concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets with systemic estrogens has not been established and its use is not recommended. 7.5 Other Concomitant Medications Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets can be concomitantly administered with ampicillin, amoxicillin, antacids, corticosteroids, and digoxin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. The concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets and lipid-lowering agents has not been studied.
Use in specific groups
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness not established. ( 8.4 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Raloxifene Hydrochloride is contraindicated for use in pregnant women, and is not indicated for use in females of reproductive potential. Based on mechanism of action, raloxifene hydrochloride may block the important functions that estrogen has during all stages of pregnancy [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . Limited data with raloxifene hydrochloride use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform any drug associated risks for births defects or miscarriage. In rabbits and rats dosed during organogenesis or during gestation and lactation, raloxifene hydrochloride produced multiple adverse reproductive and developmental effects, including abortion; fetal anomalies; and delayed or disrupted parturition leading to maternal and neonatal mortality, at doses less than or similar to the maximum recommended human dose (based on human body surface area comparison). Data Animal Data In the developmental and reproductive toxicity studies conducted with raloxifene hydrochloride, numerous adverse effects were observed in multiple animal species. In rabbits dosed during organogenesis, abortion and a low rate of fetal heart anomalies (ventricular septal defects) occurred at doses ≥0.1 mg/kg (≥0.04 times the human dose based on surface area, mg/m 2 ). In rats dosed during organogenesis, retardation of fetal growth and developmental abnormalities (wavy ribs, kidney cavitation) occurred at doses ≥1 mg/kg (≥0.2 times the human dose based on surface area, mg/m 2 ). Treatment of rats during gestation and lactation with doses of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg (0.02 to 1.6 times the human dose based on surface area, mg/m 2 ) produced effects that included delayed and disrupted parturition, decreased neonatal survival and altered physical development, sex- and age-specific reductions in growth and changes in pituitary hormone content, and decreased lymphoid compartment size in offspring. At 10 mg/kg, the disruption of parturition resulted in maternal and progeny morbidity and death. […]
If too much is taken
In an 8-week study of 63 postmenopausal women, a dose of raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) 600 mg/day was safely tolerated. In clinical trials, no raloxifene overdose has been reported. In postmarketing spontaneous reports, raloxifene overdose has been reported very rarely (less than 1 out of 10,000 [<0.01%] patients treated). The highest overdose has been approximately 1.5 grams. No fatalities associated with raloxifene overdose have been reported. Adverse reactions were reported in approximately half of the adults who took ≥180 mg raloxifene HCl and included leg cramps and dizziness. Two 18-month-old children each ingested raloxifene HCl 180 mg. In these two children, symptoms reported included ataxia, dizziness, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, tremor, and flushing, as well as elevation in alkaline phosphatase. There is no specific antidote for raloxifene. No mortality was seen after a single oral dose in rats or mice at 5000 mg/kg (810 times the human dose for rats and 405 times the human dose for mice based on surface area, mg/m 2 ) or in monkeys at 1000 mg/kg (80 times the AUC in humans).
Storing it safely
16.2 Storage and Handling Store at controlled room temperature, 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF) [see USP]. The USP defines controlled room temperature as a temperature maintained thermostatically that encompasses the usual and customary working environment of 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77ºF); that results in a mean kinetic temperature calculated to be not more than 25ºC; and that allows for excursions between 15º and 30ºC (59º and 86ºF) that are experienced in pharmacies, hospitals, and warehouses.
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 17 March 2021. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.