Evista

Chemical name: Evista

Brand name: Raloxifene

Class: SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) hormonal therapy. Tamoxifen and Fareston are other SERMs.

How it works: SERMs block the effects of estrogen in the breast tissue by attaching to the estrogen receptors in breast cells.

Uses: Evista typically is used to:

• lower breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis but who haven't been diagnosed with breast cancer
• lower breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer

Evista isn't used to treat breast cancer or to reduce the risk of it coming back.

How it's given: Evista is taken orally as a pill.

Additional information: Unlike tamoxifen, Evista isn't affected by the CYP2D6 enzyme. So it may be a good risk-reduction option for post-menopausal women at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer who have an abnormal version of the CYP2D6 enzyme or are taking another medicine that blocks CYP2D6 activity.

Side effects:

• hot flashes
• irregular periods
• vaginal discharge or bleeding
• mood swings
• depression
• trouble sleeping
• weight gain
• joint pain
• blood clots

Learn more about Evista.